Consumer electronics manufacturer Philips is taking its Smart TVs to the next level with Smart TV Premium, allowing viewers to stream content to iPhones and iPads.
Using the local Wi-Fi network, consumers can watch content from their regular TV set on their mobile devices. Philips Smart TVs already offer the possibility to control their TV set using their iOS device as the remote.
The move is part of the company’s push toward connected TVs, which one of the key elements of its marketing strategy, alongside picture quality and design.
“Since the introduction of Smart TV in 2008 the service has grown enormously,” said Maarten de Vries, CEO TP Vision, “Starting with our 2012 models we are now equipping more TV sets with connectivity, around 80% of all models.”
According to the company’s research the most used functions are catch-up TV, VOD and social apps. “Around 60% of our active connected users access the service daily,” added De Vries.
Earlier this year, Dutch based Philips has put its TV business division in a joint venture with China’s TPV called TP Vision, in which Philips retains a 30% share. The TV sets will continue to be marketed under the Philips brand.
In the Netherlands, the most popular apps on Smart TV are the catch-up services from the public broadcasters, Uitzending Gemist and from RTL, RTL XL. Philips has now also secured an app for the catch-up service from SBS, until recently only available on Samsung, “Now we are the first to offer these service from all three major Dutch broadcasting groups, “ said Michiel de Jong, managing director TP Vision Benelux.
In the Netherlands, all TV sets from the 6000 series and above will come with Smart TV. Regular software updates will make the sets future proof. For the Dutch market, sets equipped with a DVB-C or DVB-T tuner will come equipped with a CI+ slot to make it compatible with most encrypted platforms.
All Smart TV sets also offer the possibility to pause live TV or record a programme, using an external hard disk.
