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MUMBAI: Singapore's largest pay TV operator StarHub and a
provider of enabling technologies for advanced digital television
services OpenTV Corp announced that StarHub has become the
first network operator to fully-deploy OpenTV Core 2.0 software
in connection with its recent launch of Smart TV. The two
companies are working closely to bring more market-leading
applications to StarHub's subscribers.
Leveraging the OpenTV platform, StarHub anticipates the introduction
of various Smart TV remote access applications through mobile
and internet devices. It is expected that Smart TV users will
be able to schedule recordings, through a mobile phone or the
internet, on their digital video recorder set-top boxes while
they are away from home. StarHub and OpenTV are also exploring
the introduction of internet access services through a Smart
TV television portal.
StarHub's Smart TV service allows users to record and playback
their favorite TV programs so that they can watch them at their
convenience. Among the features Smart TV users are presently
enjoying are the ability to pause or replay 'live' TV, one-touch
recording, TV SMS, and access to their i.Mail email accounts.
StarHub also intends to introduce more features to Smart TV
service in the near future, such as video-on-demand (VOD) and
chat.
StarHub head of integrated products and marketing Mike Reynolds
said, "Hubbing is much more than a way to play off our
name 'StarHub.' It represents our passion to better serve
the needs of our customers through the interaction and value
creating applications across our payTV, broadband, and mobile
platforms. Cable TV, Mobile, and Online are three important
pillars of StarHub's business, and we are constantly exploring
ways to drive more value and direct benefits of Hubbing to
our customers, beyond the value of traditional discounts and
rewards. That is why we came up with the idea of extending
the access of Smart TV beyond the remote control, to mobile
and online platforms as well."
"With its cable, wireless and mobile network, StarHub
is perfectly positioned to leverage OpenTV's advanced digital
television technologies and solutions. With the recent commercial
launch of Smart TV, StarHub became the first operator to fully
deploy OpenTV Core 2.0. And it is easy to see where StarHub
intends to take this technology -- giving its customers a
converged experience through Smart TV with mobile, online,
and television applications working seamlessly together. We
very much look forward to working with StarHub on these initiatives
and helping it develop tomorrow's television experience for
the Singapore market," said OpenTV senior vice president
and managing director (Asia Pacific) Mike Ivanchenko.
StarHub and OpenTV share a longstanding working relationship.
OpenTV is also one of StarHub's technology partners for its
digital cable services launched in 2004, providing the middleware
to support an open multi-vendor set-top deployment.
Reynolds added, "StarHub's partnership with OpenTV comes
naturally. We have a proven track record of offering innovative
products and services, while OpenTV is well-known for integrating
innovative technology. We are thankful for OpenTV's support
and commitment, despite the relatively small size of the Singapore
market. Events like BroadcastAsia is a good occasion for all
industry players to facilitate the exchange of ideas and share
experiences, and we are confident that we will have more to
share regarding our new Hubbing applications in the near future,
well before the next regional event."
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