February 20, 2009

A Personalised EPG for the Set Top Box

Today’s TV viewers are faced with an unprecedented level of programme choice with hundreds of channels and thousands of TV shows to choose from. Navigating this space can present a real problem. Viewers get lost, confused and end up sticking to a few channels, frustrated by repeats of old shows without knowing what is available on premium channels or video on demand services. A personalised EPG for the set top box completely eradicates this problem by giving the viewer a personalised TV guide.

A personalised EPG for the set top box is able to advise viewers what to watch based on their interests. However, as multiple viewers use the average set top box, TV recommendations cannot be based on viewing habits alone. The TV Genius content discovery platform has the technology to allow multiple users to create custom TV guides and knows what they want to watch.

The TV Genius platform offers users a truly unique personalised TV guide with many features that enhance the viewing experience. The guide not only offers individual recommendations, but also for groups of viewers to make it more attractive for family usage. Furthermore, it can be personalised to the extent that when it is switched on the user can create different logins and create their own personal greeting.

Our personalised EPG technology can be implemented on any set top box and is fully complimentary to the existing EPG rather than a replacement. A growing number of IPTV providers are implementing this technology, which bodes well for the future of personalising EPGs as IPTV services are likely to overtake traditional digital TV providers in this space.

EPG For The Set Top Box – Key Features

  • Universal Compatibility – a network-centric approach is compatible with any middleware: it can be implemented on any set top box from a legacy cable device to a state-of-the-art IPTV receiver.
  • EPG Integration – Full integration with set-top box EPG to allow single click recording and viewing of programmes.
  • Promoting On Demand – Broadcasters with on-demand content can further use the recommendations engine to promote on demand content from within a set top box search offering, driving the take-up of on demand and premium revenues.