3 Screen Solutions (3SS), provider of software solutions for set-top boxes (STB) and multiscreen entertainment, and Skyworth Digital, leading manufacturer of connected home products and solutions, announce that Austria’s national broadcast network operator ORS has launched next-generation digital satellite and terrestrial STBs for simpliTV services.
Two new 4K Hybrid STBs from Skyworth are now live, named simpliONE Box, and feature an advanced customized UX (user experience) created and delivered by 3SS.
The Skyworth 4K Hybrid Android TV Satellite STB is now available to simpliTV customers, as of April 2022, complementing the Skyworth 4K Hybrid Terrestrial STB which went live in January 2022.
Both products offer simpliTV subscribers the latest features in 4K DVB and OTT viewing. Consumers enjoy a rich home entertainment experience with UHD picture clarity, Dolby surround sound and a variety of additional features.
Hybrid simpliTV brings together the best of DVB broadcasting, OTT streaming and Google Play Store Apps, combining the stability and quality of digital satellite and terrestrial TV with all of today’s online video features. simpliTV delivers over 100 channels as part of an advanced UX based on the award winning 3Ready Product Framework.
With ORS’ fundamental commitment to satisfy the needs of the widest possible audience, traditional TV viewers and streaming fans alike, Live TV is at the heart of simpliTV, and viewers benefit from numerous unique 3SS-engineered UI/UX innovations. On starting the app, the first screen to appear is the TV player, enabling instant access to live broadcasts. Additionally, with one press of the remote control’s left and right direction buttons, the user can navigate either to Content Discovery, or to TV Guide where streaming options can be explored.
The UI/UX is easy-to-use and intuitive. A grid-view EPG is complemented by a modern way of presenting content which encourages viewers to explore, with categories such as Recommended, Most Watched, Genres, etc. Content and functions are browsable in a highly visual way, with easy, seamless switching from live DVB and OTT. Content can be easily discovered thanks to multiple entry points. Navigation takes place both vertically and horizontally, enabling subscribers to find their desired content faster. The user can access every part of the app in just one or two steps.
Live TV, PVR, timeshift, restart, catchup and recording functionalities are all available, plus backward EPG and mini EPG and ‘Continue Watching’ even when switching devices and content sources. ORS’ objective with simpliTV is to provide a next-generation TV viewing experience that meets the ever-higher expectations of many of today’s consumers, while continuing to entertain viewers who prefer a more traditional TV experience.
The debut of simpliTV’s satellite and terrestrial services is an expansion of the simpliTV portfolio, the latest phase in a staged multiplatform rollout. In May 2021, simpliTV launched custom apps for Samsung connected TVs – for which simpliTV comes pre-loaded in Austria as preferred app – as well as LG webOS and Android smart TVs. The new satellite and terrestrial services deliver a superior, consistent 3SS-enabled UX for viewers watching on connected TV and STBs.
In December, ORS was honored with a VideoTech Innovation Award in recognition of its novel technological approach to its smart TV apps, which enable seamless switching between DVB live TV to timeshift via streaming.
All these apps feature a highly functional UI/UI enabled by 3SS based on 3Ready. By choosing proven 3Ready, with current worldwide reach of over 35 million homes, operators can provide an ultra-intuitive and adaptive UI that delivers a captivating, unified experience on all devices. 3Ready also enables service providers to co-define and co-create, delivering maximum value to their customers.
“In launching our simpliONE STBs, we’re providing our audience with additional flexibility and choice, and it’s a significant milestone in our journey to bring next-generation super-aggregated TV services to the widest possible audience,” says Thomas Langsenlehner, CEO of simpliTV.
“Thanks to our collaborative partnerships with Skyworth and 3SS, new powerful STBs are delivering an advanced custom UX which makes finding content easy. With simpliTV we’re providing a truly world-class entertainment platform that meets the expectations of both avid streamers and more traditional viewers,” Langsenlehner added.
“We’re very excited that ORS selected Skyworth to help deliver its next generation 4K hybrid services,“ commented Srithar Bala, Head of Video Solutions & Services at Skyworth Digital. “We congratulate ORS on the launch of these products for simpliTV,“ Srithar added.
“ORS continues to demonstrate its unwavering commitment to delighting viewers of all kinds, delivering options to suit viewers’ choices of both technology and preferred content,” said Kai-Christian Borchers, 3SS Managing Director. “Great teamwork brought simpliTV to life and we’re very excited that subscribers are now enjoying its benefits,” he added.
ORS and simpliTV continue to derive advantages from 3SS’ expertise in modern agile development, including SAFe (Scaled Agile Framework) methodologies. Using SAFe in projects optimizes time-to-market, enabling operators to generate revenues earlier. Highly communicative and interactive workshops, concurrent work streams, regular project updates on a granular deliverables roadmap are features of SAFe. In-house staff and key technology partners collaborate closely and interactively. Cohesive and highly motivated teams, greater efficiency and superior products for consumers all result when an operator embraces SAFe.
About ORS
The ORS group consists of Österreichische Rundfunksender GmbH & Co KG – Austrian Broadcasting Services (ORS) and its subsidiary ORS comm GmbH & Co KG (ORS comm). ORS was founded in early 2005, originating from ORF’s Broadcast Engineering. 60 percent of it is owned by ORF and 40 percent by Medicur Sendeanlagen GmbH which, in turn, is part of Raiffeisen Group. In 2012, simpli services GmbH & Co KG, a subsidiary of ORS, was founded for the dissemination of the TV product simpliTV. In recent years, ORS group has evolved from a transmitter network operator into a “Digital Content Gateway” and as a reliable partner, guarantees perfect “content transport” via cable, IP, satellite, and antenna as well as IP services and streaming solutions.
About Skyworth
Shenzhen Skyworth Digital Technology Co. Ltd Shenzhen Skyworth Digital Technology Co. Ltd., (Skyworth Digital) is the world’s leading provider for connected home products and solutions. Skyworth Digital is continually evolving product and service offerings to satisfy the ever-changing content consumption habits of a global customer base, by providing innovations in networking, digitalization, and solutions for the connected home. Today, Skyworth Digital is the world’s largest set top box manufacturer as well as one of fastest growing manufacturers of broadband CPE and IoT products and solutions.
About 3 Screen Solutions (3SS)
3SS delivers experiences people love. We enable seamless entertainment experiences across all screens, for and together with service providers worldwide. 3SS is the go-to partner to co-create the best possible services in an agile, open and collaborative way. Founded in 2009, we are an acknowledged leader in system integration, software engineering, UI/UX design innovation and solution architecture. We created 3Ready, the world’s leading Entertainment Ecosystem, to accelerate launches of entertainment services on all devices, co-create and enable customer-centric innovation. The award-winning 3Ready Entertainment Ecosystem counts 17 operators with 35 million users reach, and two automotive projects. Major operators worldwide rely on 3SS innovation. These include A1 Telekom Austria Group, Swisscom, Tele2, Allente, Proximus, TCC Uruguay, Elisa Estonia, Altibox, ORS, Yes, Vodafone, Norlys, Liberty Global, SES, Eutelsat, and O2/Telefonica. Broadcast customers include ProSiebenSat.1, Joyn (ProSiebenSat.1/Discovery), SUPER RTL (TOGGO), n-tv, Blockbuster and Viacom, among others.
