Android TV, with the extensive Google app store is already playing an influential role in pay TV, as operators are under pressure to increase consumer choice, reduce cost and speed up time to market. To address these challenges, Irdeto has partnered with Amlogic, a leading fabless semiconductor company, and Skyworth Digital, the world’s largest set-top box (STB) manufacturer, to launch a production-ready hybrid STB reference design under Google’s Android TV program.
This provides operators with a pre-certified, cost-efficient hybrid Android TV platform that reduces launch time by up to six months. It is easier to maintain and provides a future-proof platform for operators to launch new business models.
“Under the Google program, we are delivering an Android TV production-ready hybrid STB reference design which will allow operators to simplify integration, speed up time to market and ensure a great user experience,” said James Xie, Senior Vice President of Corporate Business Strategy, Amlogic. “Through our partnership with Irdeto and Skyworth, we are also ensuring the highest levels of security to meet the most demanding premium content requirements, whilst ensuring operators have full control. In addition, the total product lifecycle is managed, including the update process, which provides significant savings to the operator.”
The lynchpin of this production-ready hybrid STB reference design is security. With Irdeto Armor, operators can provide a great Android TV experience – giving consumers both broadcast TV and the OTT apps they crave – while ensuring the highest levels of security for premium content delivery. Part of Irdeto Armor, App Watch also prevents the use of malicious and pirate apps or add-ons on the STB, a challenge that must be addressed when giving consumers access to open app stores.
“We’ve seen hybrid Android TV STBs as strategic additions to operators’ portfolio, enabling operators to launch premium services at the speed and cost-efficiency they couldn’t achieve on proprietary platforms,” said Steeve Huin, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Business Development and Marketing, Irdeto. “With more at stake, operators must ensure the best security for both the content and the platform, including protection from malicious and pirate apps and add-ons on the set-top box. This partnership provides a secure, production-ready hybrid STB reference design that is pre-certified, meaning that operators will see an even quicker deployment for Android TV.”
“Fast deployment at scale is essential for operators looking to launch premium services and content,” said Charlie Zheng, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, Sales and Marketing, Skyworth Digital. “This partnership enables quick and easy deployment of new and innovative Android TV STBs, based on a single design, with trusted security implemented at the core. This provides operators with the assurance that their services can be easily maintained and are protected from pirates looking to implement malicious apps and supply illegal content.”
