How will current EPGs be able to accommodate the constantly increasing variety of content and interactive services delivered to subscribers? Will the future user interface (UI) be flexible enough to add new features while providing a consistent and intuitive navigation scheme?

Bo Valsted, NDS Product Marketing Manager for Electronic Programme Guides (EPG) and User Interfaces, works to supply answers to these questions. His team defines and implements NDS’ EPG/UI product strategy with a view to supporting both current and future customers. He also leads the drive to identify and explore new EPG/UI development opportunities.

Since the mid-1990s, Valsted has managed both projects and products in the broadcast TV and new media markets, focusing on applications and the user experience. He took up his current position with NDS in mid-2008.

Challenge: More content, more features

“The pay-TV industry is facing a serious challenge in terms of the future of EPGs,” says Bo Valsted, NDS Product Marketing Manager, Electronic Programme Guides/User Interfaces. He explains that virtually all standard EPGs today are based on a grid that enables subscribers to quickly figure out what they want to watch now or record to watch later on a DVR.

“This grid is a good idea and was developed to be compatible with linear TV broadcasts,” he says. “But as we look to the future it seems that the grid won’t be sufficient for all the different types of content from which viewers will be able to choose.” This includes linear TV, recorded content, VOD, Catch-Up TV and IPTV. “What we have to do is help viewers find the content they want easily, regardless of how and when it is broadcast,” he says.

“The challenge for NDS is to figure out the best ways to present all this content in the most user-friendly manner possible,” Valsted says. “At present EPGs offer different menus or points of entry for different types of content: such as the EPG grid, the planner, and VOD.”

New kinds of guides are needed to meet new demands

The problem with multiple points of entry for content is, Valsted explains: “they are too complicated. Different types of content are attached to menus that are combined with a text search. We have to remember that we’re dealing with entertainment, and finding what you want shouldn’t be a chore.”

“Most viewers aren’t usually interested in going through text searches to find the content they want because that is so time-consuming. It doesn’t make sense to have a different search paradigm for each type of content -- linear, pre-recorded, etc.,” Valsted says. 

“We always have to keep the subscriber in mind. Most viewers mainly want to be entertained. Of course there will probably always be advanced viewers who may not mind a text search.”

The way forward

Valsted suggests that in order to let different types of viewers find different types of content, future EPGs are going to have to be more visual. “What this means is we’re going to have to stimulate the viewer’s imagination. At present when they make choices about what they want to watch, it’s not always evident what the content will look like,” he says. “That’s going to have to change.”

Valsted emphasises that “what is essential is a single entry point. The programme guide of the future should include both current EPG capabilities and new functions so that subscribers can locate, record or book any content they want.”

In order to do this Valsted and his team must address a number of serious challenges. The first question is how to present different content in an interesting way so that it intuitively fits the TV consumption scenario.

How EPGs began

Valsted explains that EPGs were first introduced to help subscribers know when and where their favourite shows will be available. “It was really fairly straightforward,” he says, “because there were no enhancements like the DVR (digital video recorder).”

What became abundantly clear was that more and more content and features were being offered. New features are essential in a competitive market where pay-TV operators have to find new ways to differentiate their platforms from their competitors. “We’ve been dealing with expanding features and content for some years now and we still have to make certain that access to these new types of content is easy and entertaining for users,” he explains.

What will the Guide look like?

“There are potential solutions for the ever-growing amounts of content that is available to pay-TV subscribers,” Valsted says. Search mechanisms like what NDS’ InfiniteTV™ project offers will deliver content to multiple devices including TVs and portable media devices.

At present viewers can only search for programmes. “In order for future EPGs to succeed they will have to be visual search engines that deliver recommendations based on the known preferences for the user of an individual set-top box,” he says. “There will be more visual presentation of the content options regardless of the source.”

There are a lot of possibilities but the fact is that the TV experience isn’t designed to include a lot of reading. “It’s a visual medium as opposed to newspapers, magazines, and even the Internet,” Valsted says.

Miniature video screens

“I think the solution has to be much more visually compelling,” Valsted says. He envisions a guide that will feature different options on miniature video screens. “We are already seeing the increasing use of thumbnails,” he says. “But once we have the video available we can start streaming parts of the content in small windows.”

“What’s most important from our point of view is how to select what should be presented in these miniature screens,” he says. “We are going to need to determine what individual viewers actually want to see.”

This suggests combining several elements starting with NDS Dynamic™, the NDS suite of advanced TV advertising solutions centred around addressable set-top boxes. “We already know some of the preferences for the users of individual boxes,” he says. “If we continuously store what subscribers like to watch, we should be able to supply them with content they are going to enjoy from the choice of what is available. To do this, there has to be a search component, otherwise operators will only be able to push what they think the viewers will want to see,” he explains.

But there is no point in offering applications that viewers may not be interested in. “We have to balance convergence with logic,” he says. “Before we start rolling out a wide variety of applications we have to understand whether subscribers want to watch this type of application and/or share it with their friends.”

“Once we get to grips with these questions we should already have answers to the other important questions like what the next generation guide – the one that replaces the EPG as we know it – will actually look like. We already know at least part of the answer,” he says. “It’s going to have to be a visual as well as an entertaining user experience.”

For more information:

EPG

FOXTEL CTO Peter Smart Discusses Platform’s Growth Including Implementation of DVR, HD and Other Technologies

Peter Smart, FOXTEL’s Chief Technology Officer became the company’s fourth employee in Sydney when he joined as Chief Engineer in 1995. In his original position he played a central role in the launch of FOXTEL’s analogue service the same year.

After a temporary assignment in Japan, Smart returned to Australia and was Director of Engineering and Technology when FOXTEL launched its satellite service in March 1999. He specified the selection of set-top box units and implemented additional customer management systems for the new satellite platform.

When FOXTEL went digital in 2007 Smart was responsible for the architecture, specification, procurement and implementation of all of the technology systems required. His ongoing role gives him operational responsibility for all of the FOXTEL technology systems that support the platform and the ongoing development of FOXTEL’s digital services including FOXTEL iQ and HD+.

Smart has worked in the television broadcasting industry since 1979.

Because of the central roles in played in initiating FOXTEL’s analogue, satellite and digital broadcasting services, he is in an excellent position to discuss FOXTEL’s platform with World Vision.

World Vision: Please tell us a bit about the development and growth of FOXTEL’s platform.

Peter Smart: FOXTEL is Australia's leading subscription television provider and is connected to more than 1.5 million homes on cable and satellite through retail and wholesale distribution. This represents over 70 percent of Australian homes. FOXTEL strives to ensure that subscribers find TV they want to watch every time they switch on through delivery of more than 150 channels covering news, sport, general entertainment, movies, documentaries, music and children’s programming.

FOXTEL is owned by Telstra Corporation Ltd (50%), The News Corporation Ltd (25%), and Consolidated Media Holdings Limited (25%).

FOXTEL commenced distributing its services on cable with 20 channels in 1995, expanding to 31 channels and satellite distribution in 1999 and increased its offering to 45 channels in 2002 following the completion of the FOXTEL-Optus Content Supply Agreement. As I mentioned, FOXTEL is now available in over 1.5 million homes connected to the FOXTEL service directly or via services provided on a wholesale basis to other providers such as Optus TV.

When did FOXTEL begin digital broadcasting, when did your platform become 100% digital, and what effect has this had on your offering?

In March 2004, FOXTEL launched its FOXTEL digital service, giving Australian viewers over time the choice of more than 150 digital channels. These channels are provided by 52 different Australian and international media and communication companies, 22 of which are Australian-owned or Australian-based.

Since its launch, FOXTEL has extended its digital innovations by adding a raft of new channels and interactive features [developed by NDS] including games and additional news, sports and weather applications, as well as FOXTEL iQ, a fully integrated Personal Digital Recorder, launched in February 2005.

On 1 February 2007, FOXTEL announced that it was 100% digital, after undertaking the fastest transfer of customers from analogue to digital television anywhere in the world. Being fully digital has enabled FOXTEL to deliver substantial new developments to consumers through innovations in content and service delivery. Independent channel providers are able to access the FOXTEL digital distribution networks, and through them access the FOXTEL subscriber base independently of the FOXTEL service, through FOXTEL’s digital access regimes which have been accepted by the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission).

Is the iQ DVR from NDS becoming FOXTEL’s "standard" set-top box? 

FOXTEL iQ penetration continues to grow as our subscribers realise the benefits of time-shifting programme viewing to suit their lifestyle. FOXTEL iQ penetration increased by nearly 50 percent during 2007-08, compared with the previous year, with almost one-quarter of the base taking a FOXTEL iQ. FOXTEL aims to have an iQ in every Australian home. 

What new features is FOXTEL planning to launch in 2009?

FOXTEL will extend and repackage its product in 2009 so that it offers even greater value to our customers. We will expand the choice of channels, including the launch of the new FOXTEL political channel A-SPAN, enhance our NDS-developed Electronic Programme Guide and we will introduce a stunning new broadband service with an enhanced website guide and a new download product.

These are all great initiatives that will continue to add value to a FOXTEL subscription and ensure we travel at the front of world trends in broadcasting giving people what they want to watch, when and where they want, and on the device of their choice – simply and reliably. 

Your new HD+ service is based on NDS technology. When was it introduced and how has the subscriber response been? 

FOXTEL launched its High Definition service mid-2008 with five dedicated 24-hour HD channels. The new generation FOXTEL iQ2 combines HD programming with a huge disk drive making it even easier for subscribers to watch what they want and when they want.

FOXTEL has experienced huge demand for its HD+ service with well over 70,000 subscribers taking up the iQ2 since its launch in June 2008.

What effect do you think Australian Freeview will have on the Australian pay-TV market? 

FOXTEL is relaxed about the Freeview brand launch and welcomes the competition. Australian consumers are sophisticated and will figure out the reality of what Freeview means and quickly see that we offer the choice of over 170 channels (by October 2009) while Freeview is only offering an additional three new channels to what is already available today. Australians will also see that FOXTEL offers professional installation, a lifetime warranty on all our set-top units, customer care and support through our call centres and online everyday of the year, intuitive and easy to use electronic programming guides, and a range of interactive services – none of which will be offered by Freeview.

What opportunities do you see in the Australian pay-TV market in the near future?

FOXTEL is in the fortunate position of selling a relevant product because it represents a real value in-home entertainment solution which Australians recognise as they spend a bit more time at home and so we expect continuing solid growth. We are also committed to continuing investment in our product expansion and innovation which will be seen in 2009.

FOXTEL is experiencing consistent growth and is making major investments to continue this growth through innovation and delivering even more channels with quality content.

How effective have NDS solutions been in keeping FOXTEL a market leader?

NDS is the market leader with its VideoGuard CA system in combination with XTV™ DVR applications. Having a tightly coupled CA and DVR capability allows FOXTEL to provide content to our customers in many different ways, linear subscription, Impulse Pay Per View (IPPV) and recently introduced SD and HD video-on-demand service. The push VOD product is very exciting product for FOXTEL as it allows content to be pushed on the disk in the background and provides an instant start for our customers for great titles on HD with Dolby surround sound.

FOXTEL

NDS Solutions: Flexibility, Cost Efficiency Strike
A Chord in Russia and Eastern Europe

In the last five years the economies of Eastern Europe and Russia have enjoyed phenomenal growth: almost twice the rate seen in the economies in Western Europe.

This is also true of the pay-TV market. By and large the pay-TV markets in Western Europe are approaching saturation while there is still potential for serious growth in markets further east.

The pay-TV markets in the region are generally dominated by cable although satellite is making significant inroads and is expected to double its average market penetration within the next few years. According to London-based analysts Screen Digest, cable now has an estimated 32% market penetration and some forecasts suggest this will increase to about 40% within the next three years. Screen Digest also estimates that satellite currently has 8% penetration but this is expected to double in the same timeframe. It should be noted that while many of the region’s cable operators are embarking on the process of digitisation, all of the region’s satellite operators are already in the digital age.

“There are different issues facing each territory,” says Jeremy Maddocks, NDS Regional Director, Russia, CIS and Eastern Europe. “There are markets with hundreds of small operators offering relatively low-quality content and these are going through a process of consolidation. Meanwhile countries like Russia, where cable TV was introduced more than 40 years ago, will undergo a massive programme of upgrades and deployment of replacement infrastructure,” he says.  

“In addition to consolidation of small operators, the other trends we are seeing include digitisation and the growth of satellite broadcasting. IPTV isn’t far behind and in certain markets like Russia, IPTV is predicted to grow much faster than we have seen in the rest of Europe,” he says. All of these factors are taking place against a background where each country is making the transition from managed economy to a freer market at its own pace. 

Maddocks gives his assessment of the current state of pay-TV in the region.

Russia: Success is city-centred

“When discussing Russia there are a number of important factors that have to be taken into account,” Maddocks says. “Not only is it a vast country, but unlike other countries in the region most of its population lives in large cities. “Economically there is a big difference between Moscow [estimated population about 10 million] and the rest of the country,” he says.

“There is a lot of cable but it’s mostly old and low quality. Nevertheless the majority of the homes are connected,” he says. “The reality is that it is mostly analogue and subscribers pay very little.”

In Moscow most subscribers have either digital cable or IPTV whereas the more rural areas are served by satellite broadcasters. “Installing cable in rural areas will never be truly cost effective – but the fundamental question is what proportion of the rural population can in fact afford premium pay TV,” Maddocks says.

Economies are more recession-resistant

In the past few years as the market has become more competitive, a number of cable operators have consolidated. “In general there are five or six very large groups that are offering full media packages,” he says. “This includes satellite, cable and IPTV. In Eastern Europe generally, digital terrestrial broadcasting hasn’t been very successful. In order for it to become more successful it will probably have to be predominantly free-to-air.”

“I expect that IPTV will take off more quickly in Russia than in other Eastern and Western European countries,” Maddocks says. “They’re already rolling out small- to medium-size Ethernet systems that deliver high speed Internet to the home. In order to make these systems more cost-effective they’re adding new TV services.”

Maddocks suggests that one of the factors helping the free-to-air market is the phenomenal growth rate for the local advertising market which has consistently hovered around 30% annually for at least five years up to the present recession. “No one should underestimate the ability of fast growing economies like Russia to get out of this recession much faster than those in the West. They have more flexible employment laws and aggressive management that is truly focused on growth. In 12-18 months, I expect that Russia will be steaming ahead.  Even now the much hyped decline in growth is only relative to previous Russian growth rates.  In comparison with other countries, it is strong,” he says.

NDS in Russia

NDS customers in Russia include Akado, the largest cable operator, and Comstar Direct, the third largest which also offers IPTV. “The current economic crisis has affected everyone’s investment plans,” he says. “Nevertheless we expect investment to continue.”

Digitisation is taking hold quickly in Russia. “This is significant because there is so much old analogue cable infrastructure,” he says. “We are also seeing an increase in IPTV offerings.” Satellite is still very expensive, Maddocks says. “Basic level operators who are growing quickly, and will continue to meet a basic need in the market. The question is what they will offer in a few years’ time.” 

NDS supplies technology to several premium Russian pay-TV operators: “We have been supporting operators in Russia for more than seven years and during that time there has been a massive growth in demand for quality TV,” he says. “It is gratifying that NDS has played a role in delivering better entertainment to ordinary Russian people, helping them to view TV that matches or exceeds what is available in the West.”

NDS products deliver quality consumers demand

The world market leading digital video recorder solution, NDS XTV™, is soon expected to be deployed in Russia. There is also a lot of interest in NDS EPGs because operators realise this is one of the best ways to differentiate their service from the competition. “People in Russia appreciate quality products and services because they were starved of quality for so many years,” Maddocks says. “The presentation and image on the TV is important to Russians who no longer accept anything less than the best. NDS will be meeting that need as we offer some of the world’s most advanced programme guides available,” he says.

Romanian pay-TV on the rise

“Romania boasts cable TV penetration of 80% which is one of the highest rates in Europe,” Maddocks says. The population is estimated to be just over 22 million. “There are currently two giant cable operators: RCS is Romanian-based, and UPC-Astral is headquartered in the US.” They offer IP telephony and Internet. The national cable TV network is being improved and digitisation is taking place. Digital direct-to-home satellite service is provided by several operators and accounts for about 10-15% of the pay-TV market while terrestrial analogue service accounts for only about 5%.

“Before the fall of communism in 1989 there was only one state-owned TV channel in Romania,” Maddocks says. “Pay-TV began in the early 1990s when private channels began broadcasting a few hours a day. When cable TV operators began to offer 15-20 foreign channels for a low price, their success was almost immediate.”

Consolidation of some of the new, smaller operators began in the mid-1990s, he says. Ten years later two large operators remain. Internet over cable and IP telephony are both available in Romania. “Cable TV is on offer throughout most of the country, including rural areas where about half of the population lives.” Digital satellite was launched in 2004.

NDS currently has several customers in Romania. Dolce is the pay-TV offering from RomTelecom, the country’s largest fixed line telephone supplier. Boom TV is a DTH satellite operator that has deployed an NDS end-to-end solution using VideoGuard® conditional access, MediaHighway® middleware and the NDS electronic programme guide.

NDS Solutions help deliver the TV people want

“There is a lot of interest in VideoGuard Express in Romania,” Maddocks says, “because it also enables operators to efficiently roll out digital TV, and to migrate to the XTV™ DVR solution as well as NDS Dynamic™ the end-to-end suite of advanced TV advertising solutions.”

Poland’s cable consolidation

TVP (Telewizja Polska) has been on air without interruption since 1956 and has been a commercial operation since 1994. Other private stations appeared in the early 1990s. “NDS has a long standing relationship with TVP. We have been providing TCP with a distribution system via satellite for over 10 years,” Maddocks says.

“Cable is very successful in Poland and the consolidation of smaller operators is well underway.” There are three major pay-TV satellite operators and they have all begun high definition broadcasting. Some have additionally introduced DVRs. IPTV is also seeing real growth.

Aster a true innovator in Poland

Aster is one of the most respected cable operators in the country. It was the first to digitise and is usually a trailblazer in offering innovative solutions to their customers. NDS became Aster’s technology partner a year ago when Aster chose NDS to provide VideoGuard conditional access, MediaHighway middleware, a customised EPG and a suite of interactive technologies. See interview with Aster’s Krzysztof Zaborowski in this edition of World Vision.

Vision TV leads the way in Ukraine

There are an estimated 17 million TV households in Ukraine, more than half of which have analogue terrestrial service. The population is estimated to be over 46 million.

“The pay-TV market in Ukraine is new and with a few exceptions, it is characterised by hundreds of small analogue cable operators,” Maddocks says. “Our major challenge is to be able to provide a quality pay-TV solution to millions of potential subscribers who have never been initiated to pay-TV."                                   

Viasat Ukraine, formerly Vision TV, was the first licensed satellite pay-TV provider in Ukraine, and is an NDS customer. NDS provides VideoGuard and MediaHighway, as well as a Ukrainian language EPG.

“Everyone has been scrambling to get a piece of the action in one of the last open opportunities for digital satellite pay-TV in Europe. Viasat Ukraine selected NDS because of our determination to show that we understood the market,” Maddocks says.

“We are flexible and offer a superior solution as well as a future roadmap which operators clearly appreciate,” he says.

Pay-TV on cable and satellite from Serbia Broadband

Serbia has an estimated population of about 10 million people. More than 40 percent of homes have cable TV. “There has been extraordinary growth in virtually all segments of the economy – including communications. Upgrading the television infrastructure and introducing pay-TV is part of the modernisation process,” Maddocks says.

“I first met the CEO of Serbia Broadband (SBB) just over five years ago when he started a small cable network with 10,000 subscribers,” Maddocks says. Today SBB has more than 200,000 digital subscribers using NDS CA, middleware and programme guide on both satellite and cable platforms. 

“It is significant that SBB, the country’s largest cable operator became the first customer for NDS VideoGuard Express. SBB now offers both satellite and cable services, delivering a virtually nationwide reach.”

Eastern Promise

“The pay-TV markets in Eastern Europe and Russia are fascinating. As free market economies develop, the populations demand all the same services as in the West – including high-quality pay-TV,” Maddocks says. The general pay-TV trends in the region include digitisation and consolidation.

“NDS is succeeding because we are flexible enough to offer solutions the operators can use.” At the top of the list are VideoGuard Express and customised electronic programme guides. “It’s clear that the platforms are succeeding because in several cases the growth rates are higher than in platforms in Western Europe,” he says. “Despite the worldwide recession I expect this market to be resilient as it continues its development.”

For more information:

VideoGuard Express

Krzysztof Zaborowski has been working in R&D at Aster, Poland’s leading cable MSO, for the past nine years. He is currently Aster’s Project Management Office Manager and the leader of Aster’s Video-on-Demand project which includes advanced digital TV applications such as deployment of Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) and On Demand services.  

As the leader in the development of Aster’s new advanced digital TV and on-demand platform, Zaborowski was instrumental in choosing to implement an end-to-end NDS system. This includes VideoGuard conditional access, MediaHighway middleware, XTV DVR and VOD solutions.   

Zaborowski recently discussed the partnership between Aster and NDS.

World Vision: Please tell us about the development and growth of your platform.

Zaborowski: As a company, Aster is almost 15 years old. It was previously known as Aster City Cable and was part of a larger group of cable companies and telcos. Over the past few years we consolidated under the common brand of Aster and in 2003 became the Aster Group. The integration process was completed last year. As of September 2008 we are a single company operating in three cities: Warsaw, Cracow and Zielona Góra.

We originally launched our digital TV services at the end of 2003, establishing Aster as the first digital cable operator in Poland. Since then we have been gaining experience and adding additional digital packages for our subscribers. In 2007 we chose NDS as our technology partner. In May last year we launched our high definition TV services. Aster’s DVR was ready in time for Christmas 2008.

How would you describe the pay-TV market in Poland?

Pay-TV first launched in Poland about 10 years ago. The first platforms were digital DTH satellite operators. Then cable operators entered the market and offered digital programming. As I said, in 2003 Aster became the first cable operator in the market. Others then followed. In 2006 the first HD DTH platform launched. Then, other operators realised that HD is the direction for the future.

Since that time Poland’s market growth has accelerated and has become even more competitive. The result of this competition is the introduction of new platforms, and with this comes value added services like HD and VOD. Telcos are of course also entering the market.

For the last few years all Polish pay-TV platforms have been investigating offering more services as a way to differentiate their offering from the competition. Now Poland is truly a European leader in HD broadcasting.

It is clear that Polish pay-TV subscribers are ready for new services. They really want us to introduce as many innovations as possible. This creates both challenges and opportunities in the market. It also makes the market more competitive which is very good for both service operators and viewers.

How has your digital offering grown?

We launched our first basic digital package in 2003 with a few premium channels. We were attracted to digital broadcasting because it was a new experience for us and for our subscribers. It also included much needed anti-piracy measures.

This first basic package included only premium channels. We then extended it to a digital basic package with about 20 channels. The number of digital channels we offered continued to grow and in 2006 we added HD. Our digital offering now includes more than 80 channels of which 11 are HD.

Aster currently offers five different premium packages. In addition there is the basic digital package now with 40 channels. We also offer about 60 analogue channels.

As you mentioned, telcos are moving into the pay-TV market. Aster is now offering a quad-play service. What does it include and how successful has it been?

The traditional line between pay-TV broadcasters and telcos in Poland is becoming blurred. It doesn’t matter what kind of access you have, the services are what is important and they build the platform’s position. Aster launched its mobile telephony service in June 2008 at about the same time we also launched our HD service.

We now offer broadband Internet, analogue and digital TV, DVR, digital fixed line telephony as well as mobile telephony services. On-demand services will be launched soon. We aren’t perceived as a cable operator any longer. We have become a true multi-service operator and this strengthens our position in the market.

Aster’s advantage is that we can supply our customers with services that meet all of their communications needs. They understand that they benefit from getting all their services from us, and there is a lot of interest.

Why did Aster select NDS to be your technology partner? What NDS solutions have you deployed and what do you expect NDS to offer in the future? 

After doing a lot of research we made the decision to work with NDS in 2007. This choice was based on our belief that NDS really provides the optimal solutions for us.

We found NDS to be the most suitable technology provider for our overall strategy. In terms of the technology that NDS offers - conditional access, middleware, DVRs, etc - we found that NDS could best provide Aster with the full set of solutions and services we want to deploy. What attracted us is that for our needs, NDS really is a one-stop shop.

The range of NDS products is really future-proof. Aster feels that NDS can accommodate the services we now offer as well as services we may decide to offer down the road.

We also feel very secure in terms of the quality and protection offered by NDS VideoGuard. NDS has an impressive track record in the conditional access market and this is quite important for us.

Aster recently began offering Kaon DVRs, including HD DVRs, in conjunction with NDS. What has the reaction been?

This is a brand new service for us. We just launched our DVR at Christmas. The initial reaction has been very enthusiastic. It’s clear that our subscribers were waiting for us to introduce our DVR even though it isn’t the first DVR in the Polish market. We focused on offering quality and providing a product with services that are unique in our market. I think it’s clear that we’re succeeding. 

We see the demand for DVRs is still growing. More and more boxes are being installed every month. We are very optimistic about the future of DVRs in our network.

What we’re finding is the same reaction as experienced in other markets: Once subscribers begin using a DVR they aren’t interested in returning to their previous non-DVR STB. The additional functionality that the DVR offers is difficult to forget. Once they try it they like it.

What future services do you plan to introduce?

VOD is at the top of the list. I head this project for Aster and it is in a very advanced phase. We plan to launch in the next few months.

As for other services, our main goal for this year is to improve and increase both our DVR and HD services. At the same time we’re also thinking about expanding into new services. I think we may consider offering IPTV on our current platform.

What new opportunities do you see in the Polish pay-TV market in the near future?

It’s really difficult to say. There is a lot of competition which means that all pay-TV operators want to offer new services. At the same time we’re losing the distinction between cable and satellite operators and telcos. Everyone is offering multiple services. You have to in order to maintain a leading position in this challenging market. Bundling services seems to be the future. It’s exciting and challenging. One thing for sure is that the market still has a huge potential for growth.

What role has NDS played in helping Aster become and remain a market leader?

Aster has mapped out a strategy for the future that includes our goals and the services we want to deploy. Working with NDS enables us to achieve our goals step by step. The most important fact for us is that our strategy is being realised as a result of our partnership with NDS.

We believe that what we’ve already deployed and what we’re planning to deploy will keep us ahead of our competition. Our partnership with NDS helps us meet our goals.

Reprinted with permission from Euromedia, Vol. 5, No. 1, March 2009

NDS is most recognised for its world-leading role in pay-TV conditional access, particularly with DTH, but as Geof Todd explains, its expertise has been applied to IPTV for many years and its sees hybrid platforms as one of the most important sectors in TV evolution.

It may surprise some to learn that NDS has been involved in the IPTV business for over nine years, and we have over ten major deployed IPTV platforms around the world. In fact, in 2008, NDS was ranked by two independent research organisations, ABI Research and Current Analysis, as the leading IPTV content security and Digital Rights Management (DRM) technology vendor worldwide.

As a leading technology company in the TV space, we are constantly involved In both inventing and applying new technologies – in fact, we reinvest some 30% of our revenue to maintain this position. Our CEO, Dr Abe Peled, is on record as highlighting that IPTV is part of the evolution of TV and that hybrid systems are now emerging as probably the most cost effective way forward. NDS is now a leader in these converged hybrid platforms. Just some of NDS’ IPTV and hybrid customers include: Arcor (Germany), BBTV (Japan), Cyta (Cyprus), KT (Korea), Sistema Mass Media (Russia), Telekom Austria, Viasat (Scandinavia), Telecom Italia and GET Norway.

DELIVER INTERACTIVITY. Working with IP connections has meant the ability to deliver interactivity to platforms that were previously uni-directional or had only dial up connectivity. More and more devices now include some form of direct network connection; this might be an Ethernet port or Wifi link for example. We are pleased to say that our customers are some of the most competitive in the world and many have already added Ethernet ports to their STBs. This will enable the next generation of interactivity and on-demand services.

For those that still lack connectivity, NDS has over many years created a significant portfolio of Interactive applications that do work in a non-return path STB, and this has given us a rich store of experience in application development. And we fully understand and enable the many flavours of VoD from pure hard drive based DVRs to full network, and everything in between.

This all illustrates that NDS realises that our IPTV strategy must be founded on advanced   solutions and adaptability; we must meet the needs of our customers today, and tomorrow as their businesses grow. We have integrated VideoGuard®, our industry-leading security technology, with middleware solutions from many of the market’s best known vendors, as well as our own MediaHighway® middleware – which enables a host of advanced services for subscribers, and is deployed on over 108m devices. Additionally, NDS is enabling a growing number of hybrid Broadcast+Broadband platforms – in fact, we lead the market in the hybrid sector. As you can see from our customer list, we have worked with major Telcos, Cable MSOs and Broadcasters around the world and so we have a lot of experience in delivering all types of complex platform deployments. I’m proud to say that we have deployed just about every form of hybrid system out there – I’d say that makes NDS technology the most adaptable and interoperable there is.

$40bn PROTECTED. As a company founded in the Conditional Access space, NDS is acutely aware that while IP technology is certainly the common currency for these connected systems and it is the preferred technology for the distribution of digital media on demand, it should be remembered that it’s also an all too effective technology for illicit re-distribution too. Our encryption technology protects more than $40 billion worth of premium digital assets today. Operators used to believe that connected systems are easier to manage with respect to Conditional Access, so preventing piracy is easy, but this has not turned out to be the case. Our approach is based on many years of well proven and, more to the point, well trusted technologies – trusted by both the content suppliers and platform operators and we have shown how well NDS IPTV technology performs and scales in the growing connected world.

Home networking of TVs, PCs, Portable Devices and Mobile is facilitated by IP and is an opportunity for operators but it is important to avoid the expensive QoS pitfalls that multiple device connectivity can present. NDS has been showing these types of connected solutions at IBC for many years and it is crucial to design in QoS resilience from the start. In fact we invested in an innovative technology company, Jungo (jungo.com) that builds software for the residential gateway market and through their tools our customers can monitor the performance of the signal in the home. This is only going to become more important: outside the home is the domain of the traditional switching systems vendors, and we are all aware of the major push towards more broadband deployments around the world, both for bandwidth and QoS improvements.

LOOK AND FEEL. NDS has learned that an effective User Interface is absolutely key to subscriber satisfaction and stickiness and your Electronic Programme Guide can be one of the most important differentiators between your offering and the competition. In order to ensure the success of your EPG, NDS offers an array of solutions that enable your viewers to find and launch your services easily. We know fast response times and sophisticated, but intuitive, navigation tools are crucial to subscriber satisfaction.

As with our other IPTV and Hybrid solutions, our ethos is all about adaptability to customer needs. NDS has a range of options available to match your priorities. We can supply a ready-made EPG that is appropriate for your system and gives you the quickest time to market. We can build to your design specification, using our experience in delivering embedded systems. Alternatively, you can take advantage of our world-class design studio to have an EPG custom-designed for you. In TV’s evolution the EPG has developed way beyond a simple programme guide. It is now also a portal to interactive and on-demand entertainment services. The NDS EPG encourages viewers to book and view more content, strengthens operator branding, and helps reduce churn and increase ARPU. The NDS EPG is fully integrated with other NDS solutions including VideoGuard security, MediaHighway middleware, and XTV™ DVR.

The NDS EPG is designed to give operators flexibility and control
by featuring:

• Fast GUI updates. Operators can take control of the EPG GUI and easily update one or more screens.

• Fast and simple data changes. Developers can make simple editorial changes in-house when required.

• Powerful configuration options. Add new functionality, change menu selections, add menu items, or change an I-frame. It’s easier to implement changes without swapping out software in the set-top boxes.

• Sophisticated pay-per-view and on-demand support. Viewers can book programmes in advance or on impulse, and then be reminded when the show is about to begin.

• Target promotions. With NDS VideoGuard, operators can target viewers or groups of viewers defined according to geographic area, professional or personal interest for example.

• Multilingual support. Allows viewers to choose the language of their EPG screens.

• Programme information (synopses) and now-and-nextbanner. Let viewers know what’s coming up without disturbing their current viewing. A reminder feature ensures they won’t miss their
  booked programmes.

• Integrated with dozens of set-top box models.

• Additional services. Interactive applications, including games, home shopping, mail or chat – all can also be offered in a single, unified user interface.

TV NOT IMMUNE. In a difficult economic environment, subscribers want low prices, operators want low costs and advertisers want maximum efficiency and value. We at NDS recognise the challenge and we have a proven record in ensuring that our customers are successful in the long term. The TV sector is not immune from the difficulties in the current global financial climate, but our approach has always been to make our technology as cost-effective as possible, giving our customers greater choice when it comes to choosing key components like STBs. And we have also created new sources of revenue for our customers, through audience data capture tools, which in turn facilitate new advertising revenue streams through measurement, addressability and interactivity.

NDS Dynamic™ is a next-generation television advertising solutions suite which enables pay-TV operators to improve the revenue-generating potential of existing advertising sales models. It also empowers them to develop new paradigms made possible by targeted and interactive advertising, as well as accurate audience viewing analysis.

With this innovative technology, TV operators can identify target audiences, engage with them through powerful interactive advertising and measure the impact of the campaigns in a way never seen before in the TV advertising industry. NDS Dynamic enables advertisers to create campaigns that deliver broadcast and interactive ads targeted to specific audience profiles with rich STB measurement data to support their decision-making. NDS Dynamic includes:

• NDS Dynamic Audience Measurement Solution – provides second-by-second measurement of viewer interaction with TV content, advertising and advanced services such as DVR

• NDS Dynamic Targeted TV Advertising Solution – makes targeted TV ads an integral part of the broadcast experience

• NDS Dynamic Interactive TV Advertising Solution – enhances broadcast ads with different types of interactivity including access to additional product information and content online

NDS Dynamic provides the opportunity for operators to generate revenues outside the existing subscription revenue stream by delivering advertising content that will engage their audiences.

For more information:

VideoGuard

MediaHighway

EPG

NDS Dynamic

IPTV