Add TV Subscribers, reduce broadband churn, and increase ARPU, all without the costs of an IPTV project
ISPs’ subscriber bases are at risk from TV or Telco network operators giving away or subsidising broadband services as part of a Pay TV offering. Pure broadband providers can combat this, and begin to monetise the internet video traffic which they are carrying anyway to the PC, by offering a hybrid Free to Air broadcast and internet video TV product. Unlike an IPTV project, this offering can be deployed without content acquisition or network infrastructure costs.
By bundling a hybrid TV device with an enhanced broadband subscription, existing subscribers can be easily targeted to create additional value, giving ISPs increased ARPUs whilst tying in customers to reduce churn. ISPs are the logical source for consumers to go to for broadband connected TV products and are able to be a key part of the value proposition of a connected TV device.
Internet-delivered video on TV, without the cost of IPTV
The next generation connected TV experience must include an open internet video proposition on the TV with the widest range of content possible. The Miniweb platform enables a true internet business model, where internet content owners are able to transact directly with TV viewers. This model eliminates the infrastructure and content acquisition costs of an IPTV project, while still providing additional revenue streams.
Enabling internet video sources on the TV device is easily achieved via the Miniweb Platform, with branding and interactivity controlled by the content owner. The Miniweb platform adds further value with centralised search and recommendations and community tools, social networking functionality and personalisation. The system also includes a single payments service and entitlement server for premium rate content.
Miniweb Platform Features
Super Aggregation of Internet Video Content
Miniweb offers ISPs access to a wide range of internet content. Media owners with on-demand and catch up video have until now used broadband to deliver streamed content to the PC. Miniweb’s internet video aggregation facility can divert this traffic to TV devices over the same broadband connection without the need for additional network infrastructure or a PC. A wide range of internet video is intelligently indexed and made available to TV viewers based on their preferences or search criteria.
Miniweb brings to the ISP a wide range of internet video content from broadcasters, film studios, niche content producers, games providers and information services. The content is a mix of both free and premium rate offerings covering all genres from catch-up TV and films to kids programming, special interest, and sports. New content is being integrated with the platform on an ongoing basis.
Global video search and discovery
Miniweb’s intelligent, centralised, search feature allows a viewer to easily find and manage video content from multiple sources. Contextual recommendations for video are based on the broadband or broadcast content viewed, enabling constant ‘new discovery’. Miniweb’s Content Owner Menus are linked to the broadcast TV channel or IPvideo source providing options relevant to the channel thatthe viewer is watching, or has watched. This extends the viewer’s engagement with that channel beyond the current programme, driving usage and revenue.
The Miniweb platform is able to dynamically filter the available content and control what is displayed to the viewer, based on the capabilities of the TV device and the speed of the viewer’s broadband connection. This means no content is displayed as being available that the viewer is unable to watch due to connection, location or device limitations. It also means that subscribers see immediate benefit from upgrading to a higher bandwidth subscription.
Centralised Payments & Micro-billing
Miniweb offers a centralised payments service that enables revenue to be generated from premium video content and services, of which the ISP retains a share. The Miniweb platform incorporates a fully compliant payment service provider to ensure the security and integrity of customers’ data, and can provide a range of payment options. Payment details can be stored securely on the Miniweb platform so that interactions with TV services and purchasing of TV products and content can be easily delivered from a single account.
Relevant Web-style Advertising
Video content can be monetised through a range of relevant advertising options with multiple targeting dimensions (contextual, demographic and behavioural). For advertisers it is a powerful way to engage with viewers on their TV screen while benefitting from web-style relevance, tracking and accountability. Advertising can be targeted by demographic, geographic or viewing habits. Miniweb’s advertising feature is fully compliant with the current UK Data Protection Act and provides end users control over this data.
Social Networking & Community
Miniweb enabled devices can offer a number of community functions enabling viewers to personalise their viewing and interact directly through the TV. Individual profiles provide viewer control over the user experience and drive up usage and consumer value. Viewers can create and share playlists, favourites and saved searches with friends and can publish content and other activities to their community. Miniweb profiles are device independent and can be linked to web based social networking sites, making community functions easy to set up and maintain across multiple devices.
The Miniweb platform enables ISPs to converge broadcast content with their existing broadband offering. The platform includes support for widget based TV, video search & recommendation, back-end subscriber management functionality, as well as TV functionality such as an advanced EPG, with both SD and HD video support. The platform is ‘aware’ of device capabilities and has built within it, the ability to filter or adjust the user and content experience such that the best viewer experience possible is delivered for a given set of device and network capabilities.
