UX modes mean Allente can serve linear-first and VOD-first viewers without compromises
Nordic Pay TV provider Allente (part of Viaplay Group) has found a way to super-serve ‘traditional’ viewers who love linear channels and live programming while also satisfying streaming-first VOD fans, without compromising the user experience.
The solution is ‘Experience Modes’, which adapt the user interface to the desired need-state.
In the Live TV Mode, the service opens directly on the last watched channel, making channel surfing easy. This is supported by a redesigned zapping and TV guide experience that lets viewers browse live TV without interrupting what they’re watching.
In On Demand Mode, the service opens directly to the home screen, giving easy access to recently used streaming services and ‘continue viewing’ prompts.
There is also a third user interface mode for children (Kids Mode). This displays a smaller pool of content, all pre-filtered to ensure it is age-appropriate. Kids Mode comes with a simplified interface.
These modes are key innovations in Allente’s new user experience (UX) and set-top box offering, which serves customers across Sweden, Norway, Denmark and Finland.
The UX went live in August. It is powered by the 3Ready Platform from 3 Screen Solutions (3SS) and is being demonstrated on the 3SS stand at IBC in September.
Pierre Donath, chief product and marketing officer at 3SS, notes that when designing a TV product, service providers must decide their main audience when making menu structure, content, and discovery decisions.
This can be a dilemma when optimising the UX design. 3SS and Allente believe the new profile-based modes avoid the need to compromise between the needs of linear-first and VOD-first adults, and between adults and children.
The UX includes a picture-in-picture capability on the home screen, so viewers never lose sight of live TV or VOD while exploring new content. Ambient colours extend from the on-screen content into the surrounding interface, creating a richer, more immersive visual experience.
Allente is offering its subscribers a powerful new set-top box (the DV9865 AI from SDMC) to support the new UX. This runs Android TV 14 Operator Tier OS.
The set-top box features an Amlogic S905X5-J SoC and ARM Quad 64-bit CPU. It also includes a Neural Processing Unit (NPU), a specialised hardware accelerator designed to run artificial intelligence and machine learning tasks on the device itself.
Personalised remote control
The new STB comes with the Notus L12 programmable remote-control unit from Tech4home. This brings another notable opportunity for personalisation: subscribers can configure up to four buttons with shortcuts, allowing them to launch directly into any of four chosen streaming services.
This remote-control customisation feature integrates with the 3Ready Control Centre, the service management, engagement and monetisation back office provided by 3SS.
The companies involved suggest this “transforms the remote control from a static device into a software-defined customer touchpoint.”
Graça Cândido, co-founder an commercial director at Tech4home, declares: “Working with 3SS and Viaplay, we have turned the remote control into a genuinely personal part of the entertainment experience.”
Speaking about the new UX, STB and remote-control combination, Philip Wågnert. EVP and chief technology & product officer at Viaplay Group declares: “We are delivering true hardware and user experience innovation.
“Allente customers can benefit from a modern service that’s fast, stable and user-friendly.”
3SS has been working with Allente since 2018 (when it was called Canal Digital). Its technology powers Allente services across hybrid DVB-S and OTT set-top boxes plus LG and Samsung smart TVs, Android TV, Apple TV, and iOS and Android mobile devices.
3SS technology also drives Allente’s B2B hospitality TV services.