The United Group, one of the leading telecommunications and media groups in Southeastern Europe, of which Nova is a member, is introducing the third generation of EON, the group’s cloud-based television and entertainment platform, across the entire region.
The new platform is based on an engine that leverages artificial intelligence and on a redesigned electronic program guide, while it now offers the full experience both through an app and through a set-top box.
The platform upgrades the television and entertainment experience offered by providers in the markets where United Group operates, reaching customers through the brands they already know. It provides the technological foundation on which Nova, Vivacom and Telemach can shape the service according to the needs of their own customers, while the new EON experience is being gradually made available in each market, specifically in:
- Slovenia, where the platform is already available through Telemach
- Bulgaria, where it was launched through Vivacom on September 16
- Greece, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina and Montenegro, where its availability will follow in the coming months.
Stan Miller, CEO of United Group, stated: “This is the best cloud-based pay TV platform we have offered to our providers and customers to date, with an engine that leverages artificial intelligence and a new electronic program guide at the core of the experience. It is accompanied by the best set-top box we have created to date, as well as by an app that now offers all the functions of the set-top box. The app eliminates the need to use a set-top box in many households, which is a significant advantage both for our providers and for their customers, who can start watching television within a few minutes, without having to wait for installation.”
“The leading pay TV platform in our markets has been developed by our own technology team, with our customers’ needs at its center. I am proud of the result our team has achieved and of the fact that the platform will be available in all the markets where we operate.”
Redesigned electronic program guide
The electronic program guide has been redesigned from the ground up and now lies at the center of the overall experience. The design adopts an approach with an emphasis on dark shades, while the content occupies a central position on the screen. A single home screen brings together live television, radio, movies and series. Search can now be carried out based on title, genre or actor, while customers have the ability to browse the entire content catalog even before logging in.
Engine that leverages artificial intelligence
An artificial intelligence engine tailors recommendations to each profile in a household, based on viewing habits. The “Skip Intro” and “Next Episode” features allow moving from one episode to the next without unnecessary delays.
Personalization is based on an approach that prioritizes privacy protection and can be disabled from the platform’s privacy settings.
Television as an app
The platform is available as an app on smart TVs, mobile phones and tablets, offering the same artificial intelligence-based recommendations, the same electronic program guide and the same content as the set-top box. No installation or technician visit is required, therefore the customer can start watching within a few minutes of signing up, on any screen inside or outside the home.
The app represents a strategic change and not merely an additional capability. Set-top boxes remain part of the offering, while the new Smart Box is the most advanced that United Group has created to date. However, the Group expects that an ever-increasing share of television customers will choose the app, which at the same time eliminates equipment and installation costs from a new connection.
Faster Smart Box
The platform runs on a new generation of Smart Box, up to 50% faster than the previous one, with a more compact design and Wi-Fi 6 support. Smart TVs can be activated through the mobile app or the web app, even by using a QR code.
Accessibility has been improved, with support for multiple audio and subtitle options, in accordance with the requirements of the European Accessibility Act.
The platform offers premium sports content, live television, movies and series.