YouView is to run a pilot scheme that will give viewers a voice controlled TV experience around Amazon Alexa.
The BT-TalkTalk platform will be among the first developers to take advantage of the new Alexa Video Skill, which expands how users can use voice commands to navigate around video content.
In the United States, DISH network last month introduced an extension to its voice control functionality.
Fani Sazaklidou, Executive Creative and Brand Director of YouView says “We are delighted to be one of the first to work with Amazon to enable a video voice skill via Alexa. It is a great and very natural next step on YouView’s journey, extending the value of our cloud based ‘Next Generation’ platform, which we have successfully rolled out to over two million homes.
The integration will allow viewers to switch channels or access on demand content through simple voice commands.
Aleks Habdank, Managing Director, TV at TalkTalk says “We constantly challenge ourselves to identify key technology that will improve our TV service, and allow our customers to easily access the huge range of content available on the platform. Amazon Alexa is a prime example of the kind of innovation that we look to invest in and are incredibly excited to see the results of this partnership, building upon the successful rollout of Next Generation YouView which started last year.”
Ultimately the Alexa voice service could be made available to all 2.4 million connected YouView set-top box devices, including those provided by ISP partners TalkTalk and BT – as well as devices bought by retail customers.
