Numericable is to launch a Widget TV service on its network using technology provided by Nagravision. The Swiss technology company will also provide “SDV” technology that will increase Numericable’s channel portfolio through the use of multicast broadcasting.
The French cable operator will major on social networking, using a “MyTV” widget that will allow subscribers to alert friends to favourite shows as they are broadcast. Numericable subscribers will also be able to choose widgets from an extensive gallery that will include both recommendation widgets, as well as those allowing them to share video or track updates from popular online social networks.
It is Numericable’s intention to work with content providers to develop further services in the widget environment. The platform will also be open to external developers through the Nagra Media Widget Studio.
The operator will be able to draw on the Nagra Media Widget platform, which will include a set slate of widgets, organised in a store, and ultimately controlled by Numericable. The system is based on a web-based front end that connects to the Nagra Media Content Management System, the Nagra Media Service Delivery Platform and the OpenTV Core 2.0 client middleware and associated html browser.
Nagravision’s product shows a distinct overlap with that of middleware provider OpenTV, in which it has a significant stake.
Numericable is also planning the deployment of multicast SDV broadcasting technology, the first operator in Europe to do so. SDV will be used to offer additional on demand services. While in traditional broadcast technology, TV channels are sent in one unique stream to all subscribers, SDV technology only sends the requested channel to the subscriber’s set-top box.
The new system will run alongside the regular broadcast stream.
