The new user interface harnesses cloud technology to continually add and update features and will be rolled out to all 2.5 million YouView homes. The company believes that it is the first broadcast platform of scale in the UK to fully embrace cloud technology across the whole platform and device base. UK ISP TalkTalk has already confirmed that it will begin to roll-out the next-generation YouView service to its 1.3 million TV subscribers from 28 November.

Aesthetically, the new interface is said to be simpler, more streamlined and image-led, rendered in HTML 5. Other key features include less clicking and more watching with a new visual Main Menu from which viewers can launch all service; a faster playback experience on live, IP channels and on-demand; and quicker access to players and apps with a new more inclusive front page.

As well as offering such benefits to customers, the interface is also attributed with being able to allow YouView to better understand how viewers use their set-top boxes. The company sees such insight as to how consumers discover and choose content, combined with traditional viewing data, gives it the ability to refine, enhance and personalise the user experience.

“This is just the beginning of a whole new chapter for YouView and for our shareholders, content partners, their advertisers and our viewers,” commented YouView CEO Richard Halton. “We believe great content deserves the best experience, and by the time this roll-out is completed, every YouView box will feel like a whole new product, which will continuously improve. Our move to the cloud gives us the opportunity to make large scale changes, add functionality and enhance features in days or weeks, rather than the months or years it can take for other traditional TV platforms to do the same. Having worked in close collaboration with our shareholders, particularly with BT and TalkTalk, our next-gen platform can rapidly adapt to the changing tastes and TV demands of future viewers, all without the need for a new set-top box.”

*As part of the upgrade, BT and TalkTalk TV customers will also get a refreshed look and feel in line with their provider brand. For its part, TalkTalk will offer redesigned area to make it easier to access its TV bouquet’s sports, kids and entertainment Boosts, one month at a time with no ongoing commitment. It will also offer a TalkTalk TV Planner App that enables users to set reminders or record live TV from their mobile phones.

“The way we watch TV is constantly evolving and our customers now want to mix and match between popular shows on the likes of the BBC and ITV; rent a movie every now and then; binge watch Netflix box sets; or dip in and out of extra Sky Sports, kids or entertainment channels,” explained TalkTalk TV managing director Aleks Habdank. “We’ve been working tirelessly to exceed our customers’ needs, that’s why TalkTalk TV gives you access to a full range of the best TV, all in one place, and better still without a lengthy contract. It’s TV on your terms.”