Electronic Program Guide

The nature of television is being changed forever. Alternatives like on-demand TV, DVD and a large number of channels compete for the time of the viewer. Instant access to a program guide on the phone can help viewers ‘plan’ their evening and help them not miss their favorite program. Service2Media has developed a practical EPG on the mobile, for all channels in the Netherlands, including the international ones. It provides an effective view of what’s on, a search facility and identifying favorites.

Participation TV

One of the ways to attract users to programs on TV is by participation and interaction. Service2Media is one of the pioneers with the Mobile Magazine concept tailored to a TV format that stimulates users to vote or play-along. RTL in the Netherlands launched Mobile Magazines for Holland's Next Top Model and X FACTOR. The next step and most direct participation form is users playing-along on their mobile with live TV shows. In this case, results of mobile interaction, like the number of online candidates left, answers to polls and questions by the audience and other user generated content can be integrated in the format.

Mobile video and TV

The mobile can no longer be ignored as a target device for streaming video and TV services. In 2007, 48% of people in the UK and next year 38% of the people in the Netherlands will carry a 3G phone suited to receive decent quality 3G video/TV. Service2Media was the first to launch mobile TV across operators in the Netherlands with RTV-Oost in April 2007, worth a nomination for the TechnoPartner Award. We offer 3GTV mobile clients on the phone as well as the actual mobile streaming video service.

Interactive advertising

Next to interactive formats, the concept of interactive advertising, i-ads, is an important driver behind the business case of digital television. Now regular 30-second commercials are losing power, campaigns might be more effective if combined with one-click interaction and personalization. This paradigm is certainly valid for mobile TV and video, as the mobile is already the most personal consumer device and acceptance of the mobile for interactive concepts is higher than the remote control.

Mobile Teletext

Teletext is for many viewers still the favorite access to quick information. The same familiar TV user interface is now also available on the mobile. Service2Media has created a teletext application, offered by e.g. RTV-Oost in which users can switch pages by pressing the numeric keypad, just like the remote control. A mobile internet version is also available.