Following CNBC’s counter-claim that it has more smart TV platforms than Euronews, the Lyon based channel now strikes back saying it is indeed well ahead of any competitor.
At this year’s MIPTV Euronews was showing its smart TV app is running on a large number of devices and claimed it was the most widely available of any TV channel on smart TVs.
“Unlike other medias, we concluded mostly pan-European or worldwide deals,” wrote Grégoire Olivero de Rubiana, director of external relations, in an email to Broadband TV News.
“Today our apps are running on 11 platforms (soon 12 with Boxee). And these are platforms that are shared by many different brands. One of our key asset is of course to provide the programmes (news bulletin, culture…) in five languages that we’ll soon extend to eight, which is a real offer differentiation.”
To be compelete, the Euronews app for smart TV is available on: Panasonic (Europe + MEA), Philips (world), Roku (US, UK, Ireland), Toshiba (Europe + Q2 2012 MEA + Asia), NetRange MMH, which covers 60 TV brands including Loewe, Vestel and SES Astra/HD+ (world), Samsung (Europe), Sharp (Europe), TechniSat (Europe), Google TV (US), Sony (world) and LG (world).
“We do not include our VoD offer in smart TV agreements. Otherwise we should add our services on UPC, Blinkx, Free, Numericable, and more, which would bring us even further ahead!”, added
Broadband TV Views. Both the CNBC and the Euronews apps have their advantages. CNBC is strong with the live feed of the actual broadcast signal and with the personalised stock tracker.
Euronews has signed clever Europe-wide and worldwide deals, also with multi-platform providers, such as NetRange MMH, which makes the channel part of the satellite-delivered HD+ HbbTV service over Astra.
Also special about the Euronews app is the fact that is offers the viewer a choice of five languages – soon to be extended to eight.
No matter who is the ‘winner’ in this claim-game, we think that broadcasters need to be applauded for serving their audience in any way they can – also using unconventional methods and making full use of smart TV and OTT functionalities. This way, the viewer is the true winner.
