• Subscribe
  • Advertise
    • Media Info
    • Terms & Conditions for Advertisers
    • Mechanical Data

Broadband TV News

Independent. Since 2003

  • Home
  • News Line
    • Central & East Europe
    • People
  • TV
    • On Demand/VOD
    • IPTV
    • Cable
    • Satellite
    • Terrestrial
    • Distribution
  • Business
  • Tech
  • Columns
    • Chris Dziadul
    • Julian Clover
    • Robert Briel
  • Events
    • Events Diary
    • BTN Events
    • Events Coverage
    • Submit the details of your event
  • Features
  • Resources
    • White Papers

EE TV brings in Alexa voice control

August 17, 2017 10.03 Europe/London By Julian Clover

EE TV has become the first operator in the UK to support Alexa voice control.

The BT-owned operator has introduced a skill for Amazon Alexa that allows customers to ask for information on what’s on, or to record their favourite shows.

The information is drawn from the same source that supplies Freeview Picks. Users can also ask about shows on any Freeview channel for either now or the following day.

Max Taylor, Managing Director of Marketing, EE said: “We’re continually looking for ways to further enhance the accessibility and usability of EE TV – so we’re pleased to work with Amazon to launch the first Alexa skill on a set top box in the UK. The new skill will allow users to discover new content and help to enrich their TV experience, so they can make the most out of it.”

Earlier this year,  YouView, in which BT is a signifcant shareholder, announced its own plans to run a pilot scheme around Amazon Alexa.

“Alexa integration with EE TV creates a truly hands-free TV experience,” said Fabrice Rousseau, General Manager, Alexa Skills Kit EU. “Customers can now ask Alexa to find things to watch and record the shows they want—no remote required. This is much more natural, and an experience that will get even better in future.”

The EE TV skill for Alexa is the first in a number of commands being reviewed for the EE TV platform. This includes reviewing Amazon’s Alexa Video Skill APIs for integration with the service.

“EE continues to push the boundaries with its TV service. Given the fragmented nature of TV services today, we believe that voice will play a pivotal role in finding the programmes consumers want to watch. More importantly the support for Amazon Alexa goes one step further than Sky Q in supporting additional voice features,” commented Paolo Pescatore, Vice President, Multiplay and Media, CCS Insight. “Credit should go to its partner Netgem for further differentiating EE TV over rivals. This latest move clearly underlines the importance of software in enhancing a TV service.”

In the United States, Dish TV added an Alexa skill in May. It’s integration allows customers to change channel, by name or number, and search for individual content.

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: Editor's Choice, Newsline, Tech Tagged With: Amazon Alexa, EE TV, Voice Control Edited: 18 August 2017 09:14

Avatar photo

About Julian Clover

Julian Clover is a Media and Technology journalist based in Cambridge, UK. He works in online and printed media. Julian is also a voice on local radio. You can talk to Julian on Twitter @julianclover, on Facebook or by email at jclover@broadbandtvnews.com.

Latest News

  • Volia makes channel changes
  • NHK World Premium launches on Freeview 286
  • Disney commences password crackdown in November
  • Levira tests 5G Broadcast
  • Sky Cinema to offer subscribers free movie tickets

Most Popular

  • DAZN introduces MultiView feature
    DAZN introduces MultiView feature
  • Vodafone Spain unveils Android TV decoder
    Vodafone Spain unveils Android TV decoder
  • Samsung TV Plus adds slate of sports channels
    Samsung TV Plus adds slate of sports channels
  • Sports rights ownership fragments
    Sports rights ownership fragments
  • CNN Max Launches as Open Beta in the US
    CNN Max Launches as Open Beta in the US

Free Ebook

Whitepaper: Why Wi-Fi 6 is Key for ISP Success

Wi-Fi 6 and Wi-Fi 6E client devices are entering the home in an unprecedented way, surpassing 50% market share since their introduction in 2019 (compared to four years for Wi-Fi 5). … [Download the eBook...]

Long Read

Dolby presents its Vision for pay-TV Operators

Facing challenges from all sides, pay-TV operators are in a struggle to maintain their dominance in the new world order of streaming services and smart TVs. Julian Clover speaks to Dolby’s Jason Power.

Broadband TV News

  • Subscribe
  • About us
  • Contacts
  • Logos & Pictures
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions

Advertising

  • Media Info
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Mechanical Data
  • Video Services

News

  • Latest
  • Central & East Europe
  • TV
  • Tech
  • Streaming
  • Cable
  • Satellite
  • Terrestrial
  • IPTV
  • Business
  • People

Events

  • Events Diary
  • BTN Events
  • Submit the details of your event
  • Media Meet & Greet

Broadband TV News

PO Box 499
Cambridge
United Kingdom
CB1 0AH
news@broadbandtvnews.com

Connect with Us

 

Copyright © 2023 Broadband TV News LLP · Log in

 

Loading Comments...