Paris, 13 September 2024 — At IBC 2024, FRANSAT, the Eutelsat Group subsidiary operating a DTH platform of DTT channels for the French market, is premiering an exclusive miniature set-top box designed to further simplify satellite DTT Direct-to-Home reception. Showcased on the Eutelsat Group stand (Hall 1.C41), the new product will be available in France from the last quarter of 2024.

A significant breakthrough for satellite TV viewers

The FRANSAT TV Stick is a conditional access module (‘CAM module’) that uses the new CI Plus 2.0 standard to integrate the decrypting and logical channel numbering functionalities of satellite broadcasting, into a compact USB dongle.

The TV Stick is simply inserted into the USB port of new-generation TV sets equipped with an integrated satellite tuner. The viewer can then navigate the full range of satellite HD and UHD channels and control the TV’s advanced features and services with the TV remote control, no external set-top box or additional cabling is required.

FRANSAT is the first global operator to propose this innovative solution, with the ambition to simplify and extend direct-to-home satellite TV reception.

A solution dedicated to the widespread use of Smart TVs

While over half of French homes are equipped with a Smart TV, a sizeable portion, particularly in low-density areas, has little or no terrestrial DTT coverage, or insufficient bandwidth to receive HD and UHD television channels over the Internet. For this reason, FRANSAT, which has been offering the TV Module – a CAM CI Plus module with PCMCIA port – for a number of years, is launching the TV Stick, featuring latest-generation security functions for access control and protection of UHD and premium content.

The small electronic device requires no external set-top box, enabling TV viewers to make the most of their smart TV’s video and audio quality with built-in satellite HD and UHD reception, as well as their OTT services that require less Internet bandwidth. FRANSAT also proposes Fransat Connect, an interactive TV application integrating an enhanced electronic programme guide (EPG) service, based on the HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband Television) interactive television technology standard, which is also available in all new-generation TV sets.

The TV Stick offers reduced energy consumption, using power from the television set without the need for an additional power source. Thanks to its compact size, it is also easy to recycle, in line with the current strategies of TV operators and manufacturers to reduce their carbon footprint.

Software development behind the TV Stick is the result of joint efforts between FRANSAT and TWISE, a French company developing embedded security software, and VIACCESS-ORCA, another French company specialising in video content technologies with a particular focus on access control.

The CI Plus 2.0 standard has already been integrated by a number of TV manufacturers, including HISENSE, LG and PHILIPS. Progressive roll-out of the standard is expected to take place in 2025, thus allowing a transition away from the old PCMCIA port interface.

With the launch of the TV Stick, FRANSAT is demonstrating its leadership in delivering innovative solutions for satellite TV reception to keep pace with the evolving expectations of both TV viewers and professionals across the industry.