THEO Technologies enables Swisscom to expand Blue TV to connected TV with THEOplayer

THEO Technologies enables Swisscom to launch its blue TV streaming service across Connected TVs using its Universal Video Player technology.

{Leuven, November, 17, 2020} THEO Technologies, a leading provider of universal video playback technologies for online media companies and enterprises worldwide, announces that the THEOplayer will be used by Swisscom to deliver its blue TV (previously known as TV Air) service. Swisscom will now use THEOplayer across its web clients as well as on Connected TVs, simplifying workflows and creating a consistent high quality consumer experience.

The partnership between Swisscom and THEO started back in 2016, when Swisscom adopted the THEOplayer to leverage its best-of-breed playback technology and enhance the overall quality of experience across Swisscom TV Air’s web platforms. As a result, TV Air became one of the most popular streaming services in Switzerland before recently rebranding as blue TV. The service carries a wide selection of premium live and VOD content, including top-flight football from the English Premier League (EPL) and Switzerland’s Raiffeisen Super League, shows from the BBC and National Geographic, the latest Hollywood blockbusters and much more.

Viewers will be able to enjoy their favourite blue TV content across all major Connected TV platforms. This adds to desktop and mobile web devices that were already supported via the THEOplayer. Connected TV viewers will benefit from fast start-up times, rapid switching between channels and the ability to cast from mobile and tablet devices to the TV.

As well as potentially reaching a broader audience, Swisscom will be able to apply a single workflow across all devices. This will save significant time and engineering resources as content and applications will no longer need to be updated to suit a myriad of different platforms. A big step in making this possible is the adoption of THEOplayer’s SDKs across all major Smart and Connected TV devices, which ensures that streaming quality and reliability for Connected TV replicates that of traditional television.

Samuel Schaerli, Senior Product Owner at Swisscom, said: “From the very beginning of our partnership, THEO Technologies has enabled our subscribers to enjoy a seamless high quality viewing experience of our content across multiple devices and browsers. Through its reliable support and high quality playback solutions, THEO has proven itself to be a valuable extension of our technical team. By leveraging THEOplayer SDKs, we are able to speed up our go-to market time and significantly reduce the complexity and development overhead, while ultimately providing the best Lean Back TV experience.”

Steven Tielemans, CEO at THEO Technologies, said: “We are delighted to announce a significant extension to our long-running partnership with Swisscom, which is rightfully viewed as a true market innovator. We’re proud to have been a part of the TV Air story up to now, and are excited to be an important part of the blue TV story moving forward as it  is now truly coming home to consumers on Connected TV.”

About Swisscom

Swisscom, Switzerland’s leading telecoms company and one of its leading IT companies, is headquartered in Ittigen, close to the capital city Berne. Outside Switzerland, Swisscom has a presence on the Italian market in the guise of Fastweb. Swisscom offers mobile telecommunications, fixed network, Internet and digital TV solutions for business and residential customers. They are also one of the largest providers of IT services in Switzerland. Swisscom develops and maintains the wireless and wireline network infrastructure, distributes broadcasting signals and is also active in the banking, energy, entertainment, advertising and healthcare sectors.

Twitter: @Swisscom
LinkedIn: Swisscom

About THEO Technologies  

We aim to make streaming video better than broadcast by providing a portfolio of solutions to media companies around the world, enabling them to easily offer exceptional video experiences across any device. Our multi-award-winning THEOplayer is trusted by hundreds of leading pay-TV and OTT service providers, broadcasters, and publishers worldwide. Our technology innovations include the High Efficiency Streaming Protocol (HESP) and Enriched Media Streaming Solutions (EMSS).

Twitter: @THEO_playerLinkedIn: THEO Technologies