3SS Shines the Spotlight on Android TV at IBC 2018: New 3READY Features, White Paper
New white paper from 3SS and Technicolor details what operators need to know about Android TV projects, including a checklist for success
Stuttgart(11 Sep 2018)
At IBC 2018, 3 Screen Solutions (3SS), leading provider of customized software solutions and services for multiscreen digital entertainment, puts Android TV centre stage, with new enhancements to the 3READY Android TV STB + Multiscreen Solution and the release of a new in-depth Android TV White Paper in collaboration with Technicolor.
“Interest from operators in Android TV in recent months has been staggering,” says Pierre Donath, Director Product & Marketing, 3SS. “In particular, operators are attracted by the branding freedom and appealing services and features in Android TV Operator Tier.”
3SS is showcasing its proven 3READY Android TV STB + Multiscreen solution, most recently deployed with leading Swedish pay-TV provider Com Hem TV Hub in the first-ever hybrid system based on Android TV Operator Tier. Visitors to the 3SS stand can see the Google-certified Com Hem Tv Hub platform first-hand, based on 3READY with Technicolor middleware and STB.
Click here to download “Deploying Android TV STBs: The A-Z of Android, including Operator Tier”the brand new white paper from 3SS and Technicolor.
For the second year running, at IBC 2018 Google will highlight 3READY as the reference front end for Android TV Operator Tier proposition. IBC visitors will also be able to see a 3READY demo on the stands of 3SS’ partners, including Technicolor.
To be shown for the first time at IBC 2018 are 3READY Kids and 3READY Sports, 3SS’ new targeted front end and UI products which add extra theme-specific features and user options for enhanced viewing experiences.
3READY Kids and 3READY Sports offer functionality to help content owners and providers to derive extra value from their content, whether live, catch-up or on-demand.
3READY Kids enables new advanced features such as enhanced parental control options and tools. Multiple pre-defined viewing rules can be set and the parent can rest assured that viewing on a tablet or mobile is protected.
3READY Kids features:
- Kid-centric discovery - Content can be searched across content sources and grouped by characters. A SpongeBob movie, for instance, is joined by on-demand content. This enhances viewer discoverability and engagement, affording new promotional and marketing opportunities.
- Parental PIN protected movies, series and channels
- Whitelist and blacklist content for parental control
- Set allowed viewing schedules, to regulate the amount of time spent on the device
- Support for audiobooks
- Multiple kids’ viewing profiles and management for parents to set filters on age and time limit
3READY Sports features:
3READY Sports delivers all of the on-screen graphics and analytics capabilities of recently launched Jupiter, the pioneering new end-to-end multiscreen sports video platform devised by TeraVolt and enhanced by 3SS. Live streaming and catchup are supported by 3READY Sports, as is pay-per-view (PPV). This generates new commercial opportunities, including advertising, around major events.
Jupiter is now live and powering FC St. Pauli TV, the subscription online TV service for the Hamburg Bundesliga football club’s fans. At Jupiter’s core is a custom designed data engine which dynamically captures a variety of information from the live action on the pitch to create multiple feeds of video, statistics and graphics which enhance the broadcast. By combining and modulating the data being generated and collected, using complex algorithms, the data engine enables viewers to benefit from individual highlights, one-click access to their favorite scenes and live on-screen analysis.
Live animation, showing player positions and ball trajectory, supplements rolling text-based ticker information with additional dynamic visual content. This capability to create a video-like experience online makes social media sharing easy for viewers, and it will prove valuable to any sports team wishing to broadcast directly to fans, but not in possession of live TV rights.
With 3READY Sports, broadcasters can showcase content for fans of particular sports, leagues, or teams, with a unified search capability across content sources, and across devices.
Android TV Operator Tier is Google’s latest operator-friendly Android TV service offering; it is Netflix-ready, comes with the vast array of engaging services in the Google Play Store, has Chromecast built-in, and enables voice control of all apps and services via Google Assistant. As a result, Operator Tier empowers service providers to deliver true next-generation viewing experiences to subscribers.
The biggest, game-changing advantage of the Operator Tier solution is that it allows the operator to have a custom launcher, with a very high level of flexibility in UI design and layout.
The 3READY Custom Launcher enables operators to reap the maximum potential of Android TV deployments. It delivers a much richer user experience than a standard launcher, while enabling customization and branding, thus supporting operators’ marketing objectives.
Automation and A/B testing capabilities in 3READY help broadcasters and service operators to quickly and clearly understand what new features will resonate best with viewers, empowering them to build stronger relationships with their audiences.
New genre-specific enhancements in 3READY Sports and 3READY Kids are poised to help content owners and service providers to add value to kids and sports programming.
“We believe that Android TV is set to become the dominant technology platform with some classes of pay-TV operator,” added Kai-Christian Borchers, Managing Director, 3SS: “We look forward to discussing the many features of Android TV with our IBC 2018 visitors, Google TV Services, the deployment options an operator can consider, and how it can all be brought to life by 3READY.”
About 3SS
3SS delivers world-class software solutions to service providers to bring video to any screen. 3SS designs and engineers bespoke front-end solutions for TV & Video. The ground-breaking 3READY Android STB + Multiscreen Solution solves broadcasters’ and operators’ challenges while elevating audience engagement, and transforming the economics of multiscreen. Branded and custom services can be deployed faster, accelerating revenue flow. 3SS is an acknowledged leader in system integration, app development, UI/UX innovation and solution architecture. Customers include major broadcasters, content owners, and leading satellite, cable, IPTV/OTT and mobile TV operators, including Swisscom, Com Hem, Canal Digital, Unitymedia, Vodafone Kabel Deutschland, SES, Eutelsat, O2/Telefonica, ProSiebenSat1 and Red Bull. www.3ss.tv