Optimizing the User Experience
NDS has deployed interactive TV (iTV) applications which
demonstrate how subscribers want to interact
with their TV services. At the core of our iTV development
is knowledge of what set-top boxes can handle today and
what they will be able to support tomorrow.
These applications demonstrate that NDS has the expertise
to optimize the user experience.
NDS iTV applications used on leading pay-TV platforms
include:
- Enhanced TV is basic interactive
TV. It extends the linear broadcast experience by giving
subscribers the opportunity to avail themselves of
information that supplements a program they are watching.
For example, while watching a program on Italian
cooking, subscribers can be offered information about
holiday packages in Italy or a variety of recipes.
This is already used by Discovery, CNN, and Sky.
- Participatory TV goes
one step further. In order to increase program stickiness,
NDS broadcast technology has the ability to deliver
live animation of a character than can interact with
a studio-based audience as well as the viewer at home.
Known for making faces at the viewer and offering
off-the-wall comments during a game, these applications
are very popular—especially for childrens’ programming.
- Transactional TV enables subscribers
to actually purchase products and services through
their STB using their remote control. There’s
no need to phone call centers or send credit card information
by phone.
NDS has developed and delivered an end-to-end system
for QVC on BSkyB that fully integrates into the operator’s
back office system which is now the flagship model for
shopping channels around the world. With interactive
TV, your subscribers can see it, choose it, buy it.
- Subscriber and Information Services are a proven source of revenue which allow operators
to promote offers and sell advertising. This is ideal
for travel, leisure, sports and educational promotions.
Last minute travel packages have been particularly successful.
Operators such as Teletext leverage huge amounts of data
and deliver a sophisticated service that feature frequent
real-time updates.
Extending the Viewer’s Experience
Branded Games. Branded games increase
channel loyalty by extending interactivity beyond scheduled
programming. For example, Cartoon Network features games
with the same characters that appear in its regular programming.
NDS works with broadcasters and content owners including
Cartoon Network, Nickelodeon, Disney, Endemol and Mattel.
Together, we develop iTV games that enhance their brands
and increase their revenues.
Games Channels. NDS offers platform
operators and broadcasters a flexible partnership model
that enables them to establish a games channel with a
variety of high quality games.
Betting and Gaming. NDS and Orbis, an NDS subsidiary,
maintain and develop a comprehensive portfolio of applications
that include sports betting, live betting, roulette,
multi-player poker, a variety of other card games, slot
machines, kenos, and other fixed odds games.
Partnering with major gaming platforms has put NDS
at the forefront of this growing worldwide sector by
developing and delivering applications such as:
- Gaming for BSkyB’s Sky Bet
- Sports betting for Sky Italia
- Back-end integration for Sky Poker interactive
TV and Internet
- Roulette and blackjack for Ladbrokes
on BSkyB. (Ladbroke’s
is the world's leading betting and gaming company.)
NDS works with Orbis to deliver end-to-end systems
including STB and Web applications only in markets
where this is legal.
What’s Next?
From football matches to international competitions,
NDS has a clear vision for the next generation of sports
betting services. NDS is able to bring to life the
TV betting experience. Genuine concepts and functionality
are incorporated into the middleware architecture.
Advanced graphics will be the basis for multi-player
games, such as poker and backgammon.