ENHANCED FREE-TO-AIR VIEWING

Reinventing content discovery for FTA satellite TV channels

Logo_Sat-tv.jpg (Web)

Sat.tv, the enhanced electronic programme guide for free-to-air (FTA) TV channels brings unique value, enabling broadcasters to target specific markets from Eutelsat’s video hotspots and engage with massive audiences.

Channels are referenced in FTA set-top-boxes, with prominent channel numbering for each relevant market, comprehensive programme information, content search and reminders, maximising the conversion of massive satellite reach into real TV audience.

Unique features for the FTA world, such as a channel line-up that is both regionalised and always up-to-date, give audiences an enhanced user experience with relevant content to watch.

Available at Eutelsat’s 7/8° West orbital position, the leading TV neighbourhood for the Middle East and North Africa reaching over 56 million homes, Sat.tv is being progressively deployed at other Eutelsat video neighbourhoods.

MAXIMISING REACH FOR FTA CHANNELS

Sat.tv gives TV audiences an unparalleled Free-to-Air user experience, with the broadest content visibility, while enabling broadcasters to maximize their reach and increase their ability to target specific viewers through the following features:

Enhanced Electronic Programme Guide (EPG)

The EPG gives viewers visibility to the entire channel line-up, with a preview of all programmes to be aired, filtered by content genre, including programme thumbnails – a first for the FTA market. This simplifies the user experience, enabling more viewers to be attracted to a channel’s content, meaning more value for advertisers and more revenues for the channel.

 

Automatic installation and up-to-date channel list

All channels are automatically installed on the satellite receivers, with a fixed channel numbering. As receivers are updated automatically overnight, new channels can be accessed by viewers immediately, with no complex reinstallation or re-scanning to be done by the end-user.

 

Consistent channel presentation

An easy-to-use, graphic-based navigation presents viewers with the channel name, logo, and channel genre, written in the local language (including Arabic script). Referenced with a single channel number, they can be discovered by filtering on a specific channel theme. This makes relevant channels easier to find by audiences who are interested in specific genres. The line-up of channels is organised according to geography and theme, so that channels are located together with similar channels.

 

Regionalised numbering

Channels that are of interest to the viewer’s country are listed first, with a unique channel numbering system. This enables national broadcasters to be found more easily by their target audience. Broadcasters can also drive different audiences to different video feeds and customise advertising to specific audiences. By combining the massive audience of satellite broadcast, with targeted engagement, Sat.tv helps boost advertising revenues. Regionalised channel numbering is also a unique asset for countries extending their terrestrial TV (DTT) network with satellite coverage, as Sat.tv receivers can use the channel numbering required by the local regulator.

 

Available on a new generation of free satellite receivers

Sat.tv runs on low-cost set-top boxes and is being rapidly implemented by a wide range of set-top box manufacturers. It is free-of-charge for set-top box vendors, as well as for broadcasters operating at Eutelsat’s video hotspots.

 

SAT.TV APP

Extending broadcaster engagement through companion screens

Designed to increase broadcaster engagement with their audiences, a mobile version of the Free-to-Air Programme Guide is also available on mobile devices. This app, Sat.tv, has already registered over one million downloads.

Sat.tv gives users extensive access to programme details in the HOTBIRD and 7/8° West channel line-ups, with options to browse by time, channel or type of content. Preferred content can be selected in a click, and personalised recommendations generated based on viewer tastes. Viewers can also share app content on their social media profiles.

The user-friendly programme guide interface is available for viewers in five languages (English, French, Russian, Italian, Arabic).