TV streaming provider Zattoo has unveiled Universal TV (UTV), a new generation of its big-screen app designed to deliver a consistent user experience across all TV platforms and devices.
The new application is built on a single codebase that covers all major platforms, with Android TV the first to launch and other systems to follow in stages. According to the company, this approach will simplify development while ensuring viewers have the same functionality and interface regardless of the device they use.
UTV was developed with the goal of providing a uniform, high-quality user experience on smart TVs, set-top boxes and streaming devices, regardless of the device type, according to Zattoo. Existing users will find the familiar features and navigation largely unchanged. The app is based on React Native and replaces the previously separate, platform-specific native TV apps.
“With Universal TV we have not only consolidated our app landscape, but also created the technological foundation to roll out innovations more quickly, efficiently and across platforms. This significantly reduces the effort for business-as-usual topics and gives our team more room for innovative product development,” said Bert Schulzki, Chief Product & Technology Officer at Zattoo.
One of the main advantages of the new unified approach is faster feature development. With a common technical base, new functions only need to be created and tested once before being deployed across all platforms, according to Zattoo, adding that this shortens time-to-market while also improving performance, maintainability and update cycles.
The company stressed that both consumers and its business partners will benefit. For operators using Zattoo’s technology as a white-label solution, UTV can be flexibly customised and deployed, enabling faster rollouts and streamlined upgrades.
Zattoo described the introduction of Universal TV as a strategic milestone for its future. The company is aiming to strengthen its role as a technology platform for modern television services in Europe, both in the direct-to-consumer market and in its B2B business.
