Operator Application
for Smart TVs
Full Pay TV experience
without a set-top box
An Operator Application (OpApp) enables TV operators to deliver seamless connected-TV experience directly on Smart TVs. It allows the operator’s live TV channels and VOD services to be natively integrated into the Smart TV home screen and controlled using the TV’s remote, without requiring an external set-top box.
Typical deployment replaces the TV manufacturer’s own native Live TV UI with operator-branded service, offering viewers a customized user interface for both broadcast and streaming channels. Common features of the Operator Application also include subscriber login allowing personalized content discovery, TV guide, access to premium content and catch-up of past TV programs.
Easy discovery of the applications is crucial in a fragmented OTT video market.
Sofia Digital Operator Application ensures that TV operator’s service is installed directly into the primary location of the TV home screen instead of searching for the application from the TV app stores.
Operator Application enables:
- Easy access:Â The TV can be configured to launch directly into the operator-branded UI environment when the TV is switched on. The Operator Application is immediately available after installing the TV.
- One-Click Access:Â The service can be accessible via TV native remote control buttons, for example the TV Guide (EPG) button.
- Dominant Brand Presence: Operator’s own user interface becomes the main focal point for the subscriber watching the TV.
Why Operator Application?
Operator Application acts as a “virtual set-top box,” combining the benefits of an operator-branded user interface, access to all linear and non-linear content provided by the operator, and ease-of-use comparable with traditional television experience.
Smart TV Application VS. Operator Application
Smart TV Application operates in a “sandboxed” environment. If it’s not preinstalled, users must search and install the application manually from the TV app store. These apps typically have no access to the TV’s RF tuner or channel list, requiring the user to launch separate applications, and navigating separate menus for different content.
Operator Application:Â Thanks to integration between Operator Application and TV set, the application is automatically installed during the first-time setup. It can override the channel list and user interface of the TV. It becomes part of regular daily TV user experience.
Traditional Set-Top Box vs. Operator Application​
Traditional STB requires additional hardware that increases the bill of materials and operational complexity with logistics, software updates, and helpdesk operations throughout the whole lifecycle of the STB. From the user’s perspective, it adds friction by requiring the selection of an external input source (e.g., HDMI 1) and often a second remote control.
Operator Application is a software-based solution that utilizes the TV’s existing hardware and remote control, so it is easier to use. It also opens new monetization and partnership opportunities for both TV manufacturers and TV operators: the service can be preinstalled and branded on TVs at the retail level or easily activated on the customers’ existing devices at home.
How to build Operator Applications?
Building an Operator Application differs slightly from developing a standard Smart TV application. It requires additional understanding of the HbbTV OpApp specification and specific system-level integration skills. However, at its core also Operator Applications can be built on top of existing browser technologies and the core HbbTV specification.
Testing of the application and a careful QA process together with the device manufacturer are important aspects of the Operator Application development, since the it’s user interface is in the center of the user experience.
Sofia Digital has been actively working in HbbTV standardization and related testing. We have long-standing relationships with major TV manufacturers ensuring smooth certification process and technical compatibility of the Operator Application with the device.Â
Supported Platforms
- Samsung, LG, Panasonic, Philips, Hisense
- Vestel-based brands (Toshiba, Hitachi, Finlux, etc.)
- Operator Applications are delivery network agnostic, so they work with RF tuner in any DVB delivery network, Satellite, Terrestrial and Cable, utilizing hybrid IP delivery as well as in pure IP-only mode, without a tuner at all.
- The solution goes well hand in hand with seamless hybrid broadcast-IP service delivery.
Interested in Operator Application?
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