German B2B platform provider KabelKiosk has launched its IPTV platform meinFernsehen (myTelevision) at cable, satellite and broadband trade fair ANGA COM 2014 in Cologne.
The white label offering based on interactive multimedia standard HbbTV 1.5 targets city carriers and IPTV providers. On board the platform are 150 TV channels of which one third are in HD quality and video-on-demand services including a video library with 1,000 movies and catch-up TV portals from broadcasters such as ARD and ZDF.
“Our new IPTV/OTT platform combines the best from linear television, time-shifted television and video-on-demand,” Martina Rutenbeck, managing director of KabelKiosk operator Eutelsat visAvision, said at the presentation of the new product in Cologne. “With meinFernsehen, users will be able to enjoy best entertainment on reception devices of their choice. For network partners with IP services, the attractive IPTV product will provide new prospects to activate additional customer demand and strengthen their position in competition. We are therefore happy that the first partners are already testing meinFernsehen on their networks.”
The linear TV line-up comprises public channels, commercial channels, pay-TV and international channels. A special feature is the restart function which enables viewers to set the currently running TV programme back to its start. A movie that has commenced at 20.15 CET can be watched this way from 21.00 CET for example. With the replay function viewers can watch programmes from the past seven days at a time of their choice.
Both functions are integrated into the electronic programme guide (EPG) which can be used both backward and forward time-wise. Restart and replay are currently available at 20 to 25 channels, mainly pay-TV services, according to Matthias Schwankl, director interactive TV & innovations at Eutelsat visAvision. Technically it would be possible to offer the two features on all 150 channels part of the platform.
Besides the TV set viewers can access the whole offering on laptops, tablets and smartphones (both iOS and Android). Tablets and smartphones can also be used as a remote control for meinFernsehen. The mobile devices are connected by Wi-Fi. Access via mobile networks is not planned at this stage for legal reasons, said Schwankl.
The platform is distributed to partners on fibre-optic broadband lines for carriage on their networks. With the new IPTV platform, KabelKiosk wants to build up a second foothold besides its classic cable TV package which is transmitted to partners’ head-ends via satellite, explained Rutenbeck. The cable package will continue to be expanded, for example in the HD area, just like the accompanying interactive multimedia service KabelKiosk Choice, affirmed Rutenbeck.
