EKT unveils operator version of the Smart TV

Tuesday, August 16th, 2016
Eagle Kingdom logo

Every operator will need to think twice about Smart TVs (starting now)

HONG KONG / GERMANY — EKT® (Eagle Kingdom Technologies®), a company specialised in the design and manufacturing of Set Top Box solutions and DOCSIS modems is launching a range of Operator SmartTVs that will completely change the TV landscape.

It has long been a wish of some operators to bring consumers their complete content offering on the big screen without the need of a separate Set Top Box. However, a standard retail SmartTV, with its open platform, can make the TV set a direct competitor to the operator as it offers competing content.

EKT Smart TV

EKT has now developed, in cooperation with one of Europe’s leading TV manufacturers, an Operator version of the SmartTV, which combines the STB and the TV together.

This unique combination allows an operator, at an affordable price point, to deliver an integrated TV experience to the consumer’s home.

Richard Smith, CEO of EKT explains, “By offering a TV instead of a Set Top Box, with all of today’s and tomorrow’s features, the operator now has the chance to have a true long term customer relationship. “Owning” the TV set and all of its features, channel list, applications and push advertising possibilities, in the customer’s premises, provides a unique way to reduce churn and return the revenue control back to the operator.” He continues to say, “With screens becoming a commodity, it is now the time to shake up the market and combine the Set Top Box technology with its controlled user experience with a quality TV set. EKT believes that nothing is sacred in our industry and by challenging our customers with new concepts and ideas we create new opportunities to let the consumer enjoy the best content at their leisure.”

EKT will bring to market a variety of panel sizes with a range of silicon and middleware options, allowing for a broad consumer penetration.

EKT Operator TV

The first range of Operator TVs will be driven by EKT’s proprietary solidTV HbbTV and HTML5 compliant middleware platform, supporting Operator specific UI and applications, with TR-069, DRM, DIAL, Multicast and Unicast support.

The second range of Operator TVs will offer RDK 2.x support with multiple CAS and DRM options on the latest HEVC and UHD hardware.

The third range offers the latest HbbTV 2.0 middleware, supporting all UK, Australia and New Zealand catch up apps, dual multi-format tuners and selectable Freeview and Freesat support.

EKT will be demonstrating its range of Operator TV solutions at the IBC 2016 – Stand 5.B30.