The Multiscreen Blog

Oberhausen, Germany – October 30, 2024 – ACCESS Europe GmbH, the global provider of Smart TV, OTT and in-vehicle entertainment ecosystems, and COOCAA, a subsidiary of Skyworth and developer of the COOLITA operating system, are excited to announce a strategic alliance aimed at significantly enriching the global content offering of COOLITA powered Smart TVs globally.

COOCAA has chosen to partner with ACCESS Europe to leverage its extensive content library and advanced technological solutions. COOLITA, already the preferred choice for households in more than 80 countries and regions, is renowned for its innovative AI features, user-friendly interface, and diverse content. By integrating NetRange TV Store APIs from ACCESS, COOLITA will gain access to over 400 apps, FAST (Free Ad-supported Streaming TV) channels and advanced advertisement solutions. The partnership enables COOCAA to provide a richer, more varied content experience, while maintaining full control over its user interface and the consumer experience.

“The unique advantage of integrating NetRange APIs from ACCESS is that it provides solutions to source Smart TV apps, FAST channels, and the technical and certification clearances to providing a global content experience for COOLITA powered devices,” says Samuel Lin, Head of Business Development and Partnerships, COOCAA. “The breadth of the NetRange content offering enables us to gain world-wide market traction for our COOLITA Smart TV OS.”

ACCESS will provide COOCAA with a range of services to enhance their Smart TV ecosystem:

• NetRange TV Store API: Seamless integration of a wide array of apps.
• NetRange FAST Hub API: Access to 450 FAST channels.
• Metadata for Content Recommendation: Enhanced user experience through tailored content suggestions.
• Advertisement Solution: Efficient and effective ad integration.
• VOD DRM Certification: Comprehensive management of the potentially highly complex global VOD DRM certification process.

“We are thrilled that COOCAA has chosen to partner with ACCESS Europe to support COOCAA’s expansion and enhance its content offerings, which is testament to the flexibility and comprehensive nature of our solutions,” said Michi Uemetsu, CTO of ACCESS CO. LTD. “Our NetRange APIs enable COOCAA to save significant time and resources in securing agreements with multiple content providers by utilizing its fully licensed content services, flexible product delivery methods, and VOD DRM certification, which can be highly complex for OEMs that haven’t carried this out on a global scale.”

About ACCESS Europe
ACCESS Europe GmbH, based in Oberhausen, Germany, is a subsidiary of ACCESS CO., LTD. (ACCESS), which is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Prime Market, Index 4813). ACCESS has been a leader in mobile and network software technologies since 1984 and provides advanced IT solutions to a broad spectrum of industries, including telecom carriers, consumer electronics, broadcasting, publishing, automotive, and energy infrastructure. ACCESS develops mobile software solutions installed on over 1.5 billion devices and network software used globally.

ACCESS Europe provides In-Vehicle solutions for many of the world’s largest automotive OEMs, including software components, app stores and entertainment services. NetRange, now part of the ACCESS Europe brand family that also includes NetFront Browser and ACCESS Twine, pioneered white-labeled, Smart TV app stores and connected device solutions. It serves as a one-stop center for Smart TV brands, chipset vendors, and operators, offering licensed content, backend services, and DRM certification. NetRange Smart TV solutions are integrated across over 300 partners worldwide, including MediaTek, Hisense VIDAA O.S., and TCL MOKA, and combine with ACCESS Europe’s TV browser solutions, to provide a powerful and cost-effective integrated solution to simplify the launch of new services for broadcasters, video operators and TV manufacturers.

For more information visit www.access-company.com and eu.access-company.com.

For ACCESS media inquiries, please contact:
Email: access@platformcomms.com / phone: +44 (0)20 3832 3690/3691 or +44 (0) 7711 239 062

Oberhausen, Germany & La Ciotat, France – September 11, 2024 – ACCESS Europe GmbH and SmarDTV Corporation (RAI: 10. ForumLounge) are excited to announce the showcase of their latest joint solution at IBC2024 in Amsterdam. This collaboration highlights the integration of the NetRange TV Store and FAST Hub from ACCESS Europe with SmarDTV Corporation’s Lynx solution, a compact, high-performance 4K streaming puck based on the Android OS.

The combination of SmarDTV’s Lynx product range with the robust NetRange TV Store and the ACCESS FAST Hub, enables operators to easily enhance their streaming service offerings. This integrated solution allows operators to continually update their customers with new apps and streaming channels, realizing new revenue streams and increasing ARPUs through the rapid expansion of operator service portfolios. The NetRange offering includes AAA gaming, music, karaoke, podcasts, FAST TV and video services.

Discussing the innovative collaboration, Masahiro Aono, CEO of ACCESS Europe, said: “SmarDTV and ACCESS are natural partners. Both companies strive to deliver solutions that enable exciting new services with minimal operational complexity. The combination of SmarDTV’s powerful Lynx 4k streaming puck and the NetRange solutions from ACCESS Europe is an incredibly efficient way for operators and smart TV manufacturers to either launch or expand their portfolio of services with FAST and AVOD, while retaining full control over the user interface and user experience.”

Lionel Boissier, CEO of SmarDTV Corporation, added: “Our collaboration with ACCESS Europe reinforces SmarDTV’s mission to bring value to customers with pre-integrated, cost-effective solutions as traditional broadcast operators seek to leverage connected services. The Lynx puck, combined with ACCESS Europe’s NetRange content and app ecosystem, provides an ideal solution for broadcast operators looking to innovate and expand their customer offerings.”

The SmarDTV Lynx 4K HDR OTT streaming puck is designed for TV operators, broadcasters, and service providers looking to expand their content offerings and deliver high-quality streaming experiences to their subscribers. It supports advanced video codecs like H.265 and VP9 and features Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth LE for wireless connections. Aimed at operators who need a compact, scalable, and cost-effective solution, the Lynx allows them to integrate a wide range of OTT services, including video, gaming, and music, while maintaining control over the user experience.

The NetRange TV Store solutions from ACCESS Europe provide a fully integrated, white-label platform that enables Smart TV and connected device manufacturers to offer a vast array of apps and content directly to their users. Designed for seamless integration, the NetRange TV Store supports a wide variety of applications, including video streaming, gaming, FAST channels and Smart TV apps, and enables operators to maintain control over the user experience. By offering frequent updates and a global content portfolio, the TV Store enables operators to enhance their video services, drive engagement, and increase revenue through value-added content.

Note to editors:
If you would like to meet ACCESS or SmarDTV at IBC2024, please contact:
ACCESS: access@platformcomms.com, SmarDTV: contact@smardtv.com

About SmarDTV Corporation
SmarDTV Corporation is a European device supplier with in-house manufacturing facilities, specializing in providing Set-Top Boxes, Streaming dongles, and Home Broadband Gateways. As a private company with three decades of experience in the international Digital TV industry, SmarDTV leverages its expertise in design, development, manufacturing, and delivery to serve Pay TV and Telco Operators globally. To date, SmarDTV has delivered more than 25 million devices worldwide, and is continuously supporting their customers to stay ahead of the competition, through innovation, high quality, strong commitment to bringing cost efficiency with full control of supply chain and manufacturing.

About ACCESS Europe
ACCESS Europe GmbH, based in Oberhausen, Germany, is a subsidiary of ACCESS CO., LTD. (ACCESS), which is headquartered in Tokyo, Japan and listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange (Prime Market, Index 4813). ACCESS has been a leader in mobile and network software technologies since 1984 and provides advanced IT solutions to a broad spectrum of industries, including telecom carriers, consumer electronics, broadcasting, publishing, automotive, and energy infrastructure. ACCESS develops mobile software solutions installed on over 1.5 billion devices and network software used globally.

ACCESS Europe provides In-Vehicle solutions for many of the world’s largest automotive OEMs, including software components, app stores and entertainment services. NetRange, an ACCESS Europe brand, pioneered white-labeled, Smart TV app stores and connected device solutions. It serves as a one-stop center for Smart TV brands, chipset vendors, and operators, offering licensed content, backend services, and DRM certification. NetRange Smart TV solutions are integrated across over 300 partners worldwide, including MediaTek, Hisense VIDAA O.S., and TCL MOKA, and combine with ACCESS Europe’s TV browser solutions, to provide a powerful and cost-effective integrated solution to simplify the launch of new services for broadcasters, video operators and TV manufacturers.

For more information visit www.access-company.com and eu.access-company.com.

For ACCESS media inquiries, please contact:
Email: access@platformcomms.com / phone: +44 (0)20 3832 3690/3691 or +44 (0) 7711 239 062

Hamburg & Oberhausen, 31st July, 2024 – ACCESS Europe GmbH, a leading provider of advanced software solutions for connected TVs, mobile devices, and networking, and NetRange MMH GmbH (‘NetRange’ an ACCESS company), the global provider of white-labelled, turnkey Smart TV and OTT ecosystems, today announced the launch of NetFront™ Browser BE v3, the latest version of ACCESS browser which supports HbbTV2.0.4. This solution is fully integrated with the NetRange HbbTV Appstore, enabling TV manufacturers and brands to easily launch HbbTV services, and do it globally, quickly and cost-effectively.

By integrating the latest version of HbbTV, the new ACCESS browser delivers on the promise of state-of-the-art interactivity and functionality for Smart TVs, including support for Operator Applications (OpApp) and other essential features, so that ACCESS customers are equipped with the most advanced and compliant technology and entertainment available. Primarily deployed in Europe, with live projects also in the Middle East and APAC, HbbTV is supported by TV and device manufacturers including KTC and TCL MOKA on MTK chipsets and Konka on AOSP TVs based on a HiSilicon chipset.

“ACCESS is committed to driving the evolution of HbbTV standards by providing cutting-edge solutions that enhance the viewer experience,” said ACCESS Europe’s CEO, Aono Masahiro. “Our latest HbbTV browser and Appstore solution enables TV manufacturers and brands to meet the growing demand for HbbTV-enabled TVs, and do it with unique integration, powerful testing capabilities, and cost efficiencies.”

The joint ACCESS and NetRange HbbTV solution provides significant advantages to customers, including:

Latest HbbTV Technology: Access to the latest HbbTV version, ensuring support for all current features and standards.

Reliable Testing Framework: With the inclusion of Ligada test suites, ACCESS offers a robust and comprehensive testing environment, a valuable resource.

Continuous Product Planning: ACCESS’s proactive approach to product planning ensures that the latest HbbTV versions and requirements are consistently met and incorporated into the roadmap.

Unified Solution: By partnering with ACCESS and NetRange, ODMs and TV brands can streamline their operations. Rather than coordinating with multiple vendors for browser and app portal needs, clients can rely on a single point of contact, simplifying project management and reducing time to market.

Integrated Content Offerings: The collaboration between ACCESS and NetRange delivers a cohesive solution, providing HbbTV channels from the portal, facilitating a simplified deployment process, with joint testing and debugging efforts.

Cost Efficiency: ACCESS offers a bundled solution that is more economical than engaging separate contracts with multiple service providers, offering substantial cost savings to customers.

As the industry continues to evolve, ACCESS’s innovative approach to the HbbTV ecosystem sets a new benchmark for interoperability and user experience. The ACCESS and NetRange HbbTV solution represents a significant leap forward in smart TV technology, promising to enrich the user experience with seamless functionality and enhanced content offerings.

About ACCESS
Since 1984, ACCESS CO., LTD. (Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, Index, 4813) has been providing advanced IT solutions centred on mobile and network software technologies to telecom carriers, consumer electronics manufacturers, broadcasting and publishing companies, the automotive industry and energy infrastructure providers around the world. The company develops mobile software solutions that have been installed on over 1.5 billion devices, and network software solutions that have been used by hundreds of companies. Utilising its network virtualisation technology expertise and knowledge, the company is currently focusing on the development and commercialisation of Internet of Things (IoT) and media solutions that combine embedded and cloud technology. Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, the company maintains subsidiaries and affiliates in Asia, Europe and the United States to support and expand its business globally. Learn more about ACCESS at www.access-company.com.

About NetRange
NetRange, an ACCESS CO., LTD. company (Tokyo Stock Exchange Prime Market, Index, 4813), is the global pioneer of white labelled, licensed App Store provider for Smart TVs, Set Top Boxes, Automotive platforms, and other connected devices such as smart projectors.

NetRange is the One-Stop-Center for Smart TV Brands/ODMs, Chipset vendors, and operators for accessing the licensed contents, covering content agreements, providing backend services and running DRM certification processes. The NetRange solution is integrated on more than 300 partners worldwide including Mediatek, Hisense VIDAA O.S., Arçelik, TCL MOKA, Skyworth Digital, Sharp, Loewe and Changhong. Its fully featured Smart TV Appstore includes local and global premium VoD stores, FAST channels, cloud games, live sports, the latest music, and lifestyle apps.

In addition, NetRange also leverages its content relationships and broadcast technology expertise to provide the Twine4Car Automotive platform solution, a connected car infotainment platform, and VISNOS, a client-based Smart TV OS that significantly reduces the hardware cost for TV manufacturers by enabling Smart TV features through devices with low-powered CPUs. Please visit www.netrange.com for more information.

For ACCESS and NetRange media inquiries, please contact:
Email: access@platformcomms.com / phone: +44 (0)20 3832 3690/3691 or +44 (0) 7711 239 062