Stavanger-based multiservice provider Altibox has partnered with 3 Screen Solutions (3SS) to launch its next-generation TV entertainment service for consumers in Norway and Denmark.
In February 2020 it was announced that Altibox had selected high-end Technicolor JADE STB and 3SS’ 3READY Product Framework to enable the new offering. Now live, the service offers over 150 channels as well as major streamers, including Netflix, Viaplay and HBO, fully integrated, along with full PVR functionality and timeshift, among other capabilities. The new flagship service is currently being offered to Altibox’s over 500,000 TV customers.
It is based on Android TV Operator Tier, and features an engaging Custom Launcher and UX built on 3SS’ 3READY Product Framework as its foundation. 3SS and Altibox worked closely to co-develop an advanced, totally new user experience, to include new features which help the subscriber more intuitively browse, discover and ultimately watch content.
Thanks to deep Netflix integration, viewers can access Netflix in several ways. It is available via the home page, from the “My apps” stripe, and via the apps page. Additionally, Netflix can be selected from the TV channel list, and it’s available as a channel from the Live player. The new Altibox service also features NRK TV, Prime Video, Viaplay and TV2 Play third-party apps pre-installed.
The user interface has a fresh design and feel. The home page has a brand new format and layout, with live TV prominently displayed along with other functions which Altibox can prioritise. Detail pages within the UX appear in a novel sidebar menu. This new menu format has numerous attributes and functions which help the viewer in their navigation, discovery and selection journey, such as large content teasers once the user has highlighted, with continue-watching and favorites options.
Altibox TV Guide EPG has a mini player and mini EPG, and its navigation has new filters to better help the viewer select what content to watch, browsable by day, channel, genre, subject or favorites.
Altibox is further helping subscribers find desirable content through super-curation, enabled by 3READY Control Center. Theme-based pages combine and display content by particular genres. Viewers can also browse video assets displayed on pages dedicated to particular broadcasters’ streaming services (e.g. National Geographic Channel or HBO Nordic) or even peruse all available instalments of a particular film franchise (e.g. Batman films).
Altibox can dynamically change any style, branding, layout, content and settings on any platform on the fly thanks to 3READY Control Center. Features and sections can be configured and changed, to optimize the experience on the Android TV platform, at any moment Altibox chooses. 3READY Control Center also enhances Altibox’s ability to promote content. Programmes and films can be showcased in many different locations within the UX, thereby increasing the likelihood of being selected.
Additionally, 3SS is providing Altibox with Automated Testing as a Value Added professional service. The value of automated testing is that the operator can ensure high performance and robustness across more test cases than otherwise possible.
Tor Morten Osmundsen, CEO of Altibox
A big priority for us was to offer our viewers an enhanced entertainment experience for our next-generation super-aggregated service. We’ve been working very successfully with 3SS to create a new, ultra-intuitive user experience, and now Altibox subscribers are enjoying an advanced UX that meets all their entertainment discovery needs.
Kai-Christian Borchers, 3SS Managing Director
Altibox has taken the user interface to the next level, and we congratulate them for creating a new benchmark for content display, functions and features for subscribers, helping them to more easily find great entertainment.
