ANGA COM – Canal+ makes channels available OTT to Cube S set-top box supplied by Technicolor

    image1 (9K)
    Share on

    Canal+ is making its whole content portfolio available to French consumers in a direct-to-consumer OTT service, and all in high-definition, using a hybrid DTT/IP set-top box called the Cube S, which has been provided by Technicolor, with Frog by Wyplay middleware from Wyplay. The box combines French TNT terrestrial television with the streaming content. There are also on-demand and catch-up services and music from Deezer and RadioLine. The new STB is now available across France. 

    This is the set-top box we previewed in our report ‘Making OTT an equal part of the STB experience‘. Canal+ wanted to make its full premium channel line-up as well as its Canalsat satellite bouquet available to its pay-DTT subscribers. In order to provide the same user experience across broadcast and OTT, there is a hybrid EPG that displays the streamed linear channels alongside the broadcast ‘DVB’ ones. 

    You can use the set-top box to access content anywhere you go in France providing there is a DTT signal for TNT or Internet connection (other content). This mobility is considered an important feature of the new service: The Cube S set-top box is a similar size to a Rubik’s Cube to support this. 

    “The Cube S represents a totally new chapter in our vision for the Canal+ experience,” declares Frederic Vincent, Executive Vice President, Technology and Information Systems at Canal+ Group. “For the first time, we can offer French audiences our complete range of content over the Internet in one beautiful set-top box, a small cube. 

    “Our subscribers can consume TV content live or on-demand or listen to more than 35 million music tracks or international radio from Deezer and Radioline. Technicolor’s engineering and design expertise has allowed us to create a truly innovative and stand-out product that offers all our content in HD.”

    The Cube S is the first deliverable from an ongoing partnership that will see Canal+ Group and Technicolor work together to deploy new consumer offerings in other countries. The device has Wi-Fi support and can handle full HD video. Set-top box design was considered an important issue. “This deployment shows the growing importance of design-orientated STBs in the living room. The Cube S is a powerful and minimalist expression of Canal+’s cube-themed product branding,” a joint press release says.

    François Rossiensky, Senior Vice President EMEA for Technicolor Connected Home segment, says: “We are helping to bring an incredible array of channels together in a uniquely designed set-top box. This represents a future-proof collaboration and delivery that makes it easier than ever to access all Canal+ premium content.”


    Share on