Liberty Global has unveiled its new Horizon 4 set-top box at its annual Tech Summit in Amsterdam. Based on the V6 launched last year in the UK by its subsidiary Virgin Media, the Horizon 4 will roll out in the coming months at Ziggo in the Netherlands, Telenet in Belgium and UPC Switzerland.
The RDK-based box adds support for 4K video, cloud recording, VOD, catch-up and replay TV, and OTT content, including integrated apps for YouTube and Netflix. Customers will be able to control the box with a new slimmed down, voice-activated remote control as well as opt in for personalised TV and VOD recommendations. Liberty Global said the latter also offers opportunities for advertising in the future.
The company's focus with the Horizon 4 was ensuring a simple, fast user interface, so users can easily find what they want. Similar and popular content are grouped together, regardless of whether it appears on linear, VoD or third-party services. The new user interface also allows for faster and more regular software updates, and customers can expect a refresh around every six weeks. Future updates will include access to a changing library of web videos and online channels and the addition of user profiles for multiple users in the same home. Liberty Global also plans to add more functionality to the voice remote over time, moving from simple commands like selecting a channel to presenting content suggestions such as 'top ten comedies'.
The cable operator is also updating the Horizon Go mobile app, which has the same user interface as the STB. The apps offers access to the TV controls as well as live and on-demand viewing. Users are able to download programmes to watch offline as well as pick up watching where they left off on another device. The mobile app can also be used to push content to the TV screen after searching for it with the app
The Horizon 4 box, slimmer than its predecessor thanks to no hard drive, has already been tested with around 10,000 customers in recent months. The UK model has been adopted by nearly 2 million customers, in combination with TiVo software. Testing of the Horizon 4 will continue in the coming months with more customers, with a full commercial launch planned for 2019.
Liberty Global first introduced the Horizon name in 2012 and since then has launched the platform in a total of seven markets. The company said the latest box shows the synergies that can be achieved from its 'one platform' strategy.
