Zattoo OperatorApp on Panasonic

As one of the first implementations of its kind on a Smart TV, the Zattoo HbbTV OpApp on Panasonic TVs is offered as part of both Zattoo's direct to consumer and TV-as-a-Service (TVaaS) offering to network and content operators. The Zattoo HbbTV OpApp offers a fully centralised IPTV / OTT TV experience for both linear and non-linear content types. It also combines the advantages of an IPTV / OTT application running on a Smart TV with access to HbbTV broadcaster applications, all using a single remote control.

Description

Nowadays, the majority of TV consumers use Smart TVs as opposed to 'non-smart' TVs to watch linear TV content. In order to watch non-linear content such as Restart TV, Catch-Up TV and Video on Demand, the use of a streaming application is generally needed. Such streaming apps are widely available and downloadable either directly on the Smart TV using an app store or via a set-top-box device connected to the consumer's Smart TV. This hybrid type setup offers a quasi 'all-in-one' TV experience.

For the user however, this setup presents a number of challenges like having multiple apps present on the Smart TV which requires a considerable amount of interaction via the Smart TV's remote control, most of which is limited to a few buttons. For the operator, especially a network or content operator offering a Pay TV service via an IPTV / OTT set-top-box to its end users, the supply of hardware brings additional challenges such as sourcing, branding, distribution and after sales support. Additionally, operators offering support for third party apps on their chosen IPTV / OTT set-top-box have the challenge of maintaining those apps throughout both the app and set-top box's lifecycle.

Zattoo utilized the possibilities the HbbTV specifications offer and built an Operator App from the Zattoo OTT app to allow the user to enjoy all the comfort of a set-top-box melted with the ease and content variety that OTT offers without the need of a hardware set-top-box. Zattoo has made this the only available Zattoo service on Panasonic Smart TVs from 2020 Models onwards, as it provides our best experience on a Smart-TV as of today. After the setup process, the app is always available at the virtual HDMI input of the TV and is up and running immediately when the TV is switched on. Also, the core buttons on the remote control have been extended to also use e.g. the guide button to open the Zattoo app guide instead of the Panasonic TV guide. 'One click to stream' has finally come true.

Impact

Our "One click to stream" solution allows the TV experience we all know from the best times of TV broadcast to melt with the content variety and ease of use of OTT services. Users adapt quickly and give positive feedback.