RCA to launch Opera-powered Smart TVs in the US

OSLO, Norway — RCA, the renowned TV brand, is revamping its Smart TV portfolio. Today, Opera Software announces its partnership with ON Corporation, one of RCA’s brand licensees, to help bring popular online content, hundreds of TV apps and full internet browsing to cater the increasing OTT demand from a growing number of couch surfers in the United States. These TVs will hit the market later this year through Opera’s partnership with ON corporation, whereby Opera will provide its HTML5 technology in the form of the Opera Devices Software Development Kit (SDK) and Opera TV Store application platform.

An increasing number of Smart TV users are starting to discover online entertainment content through TV apps. According to statistics compiled by Nielsen and YuMe*, 61% of Smart TV users watch free internet video content, 60% browse internet and 50% watch paid internet video content. More and more publishers and online video platforms (OVPs) are also repurposing their online content to give a better viewing experience on Smart TVs, which offer a much larger screen experience. This includes sources such as CNBC, TED and NHK World News, which are all live in the Opera TV Store.

The new RCA Smart TV models manufactured by ON Corporation will support content from providers such as YouTube, BBC, Netflix, Hulu and Pandora. This is made possible through the Opera Devices SDK, a HTML5 SDK tailor-made for connected-TV devices.

“Viewers are moving toward discovering online video content on Smart TVs; however, the existence of different HTML technology, streaming protocols, codecs and container formats create complexity for TV manufacturers,” says Jonathan Zupnik, Vice President, ON Corporation. “The Opera Devices SDK supports several different standards used by popular video content on Smart TVs, thereby enabling ease of deployment for RCA. Furthermore, Opera’s TV app platform will empower our consumers with a growing catalog of online entertainment options made for the biggest screen at home.”

“Time to market and superb web technology support are two important requirements for Smart TV manufacturers in choosing their connected-TV-solution partners. Opera excels in keeping pace with these fast-changing requirements and, through its silicon vendor partnerships, helps manufacturers like ON Corporation bring products to market much quicker,” says Aneesh Rajaram, Vice President for TV & Devices, Opera Software. “We look forward to empowering RCA TVs with increased entertainment options through the Opera TV Store, as well as providing content owners with yet another channel to large audiences.”

*See infographic