Leveraging ActiveVideo’s CloudTV virtualization platform, Charter Communications' (NASDAQ:CHTR) next-generation Spectrum Guide is now available on millions of set-tops, as deployment continues to nearly all new Spectrum TV subscribers nationwide. The on-screen guide features customizations, video previews, graphics and more intuitive navigation. The solution is intended to provide a user experience that makes it easy for subscribers to search and discover programming in Spectrum’s library of live and on-demand TV shows, movies, sporting events and other video content.
Charter developed the program guide to be delivered on ActiveVideo’s CloudTV HTML5 cloud browser platform, which is designed to virtualize set-top box functions and enable the guide to be delivered from the cloud to any set-top without dependency on its memory capacity or CPU speed. Even the latest generation of the company’s WorldBox hybrid IP set-tops benefits from the combination of set-top resource independence and cloud delivery, allowing Charter to scale deployment of the guide across its footprint.
“Spectrum Guide has been deployed to millions of set-top boxes across our footprint providing a reliable, modern navigation experience, and virtualization has been key to that success,” said Jake Perlman, SVP of Software Development at Charter. “Working with ActiveVideo allowed us to realize the promises of virtualization, deploy a world-class next-generation TV service at scale, and have a flexible platform that supports new features and services.”
“Charter has a well-deserved reputation for innovation, and their use of virtualization to drive Spectrum TV demonstrates how they are continuing to advance state-of-the-art content delivery to their subscribers,” said Jeff Miller, CEO of ActiveVideo. “Charter’s success also proves that virtualization is ready for prime time. It can enable large operators to quickly deliver new services and improved user experiences at scale.”
In other ActiveVideo news, at IBC2019 in Amsterdam, the company will introduce the new ActiveVideo AppCloud, a virtualized app platform intended to bring video entertainment to any television utilizing Android applications.
The ActiveVideo AppCloud integrates OTT into the TV experience by running Android applications in the cloud, enabling service providers to serve entertainment from Android APKs to any connected TV or set-top device, regardless of its capabilities. The ActiveVideo AppCloud will be initially offered via a subscription model and is expected to be commercially available in mid-2020.
"There are thousands of Android-based TV apps available today, and with ActiveVideo AppCloud we bring an immediate breadth of TV apps to the operator," said Jeff Miller, ActiveVideo CEO. "Service providers can stay ahead of the competition with powerful viewing experiences, maintain direct relationships with their subscribers, expand the services they offer, and drive new digital advertising approaches with the ActiveVideo AppCloud framework."
The ActiveVideo AppCloud virtualized environment removes the need for apps to be ported directly onto the device, mitigating storage and processor limitations for current, legacy, and future platforms. Content providers can develop and publish their Android apps without being restricted by the capabilities of the client. Operators can deliver a consistent app experience across their deployed set-top footprint.