Opera announces next-gen TV app, Dailymotion first partner on board

• Opera TV Snap can transform online video into apps for connected TV at zero cost and in less than a minute
• Content owners can re-purpose their online video channels and inventory into ready-to-run HTML5 apps

OSLO-based Opera Software has launched a next-generation TV app technology which it claimed has the ability to transform online video into apps for connected TV, at zero cost and all in less than a minute.
 
The new Opera TV Snap technology has already found its first partner in Dailymotion, the world’s second-largest video site, empowering its official users to reach new audiences on millions of smart TV devices, Opera Software said in a statement.

According to Gartner, global unit production of smart TVs is forecast to reach 108 million in 2013. In addition to this, there will be a huge number of connected Blu-ray players, streaming media players and hybrid set-top boxes.
 
These platforms are ideal for video content owners. Today, however, it is cumbersome and expensive for brands and content owners to develop their own smart TV apps, even with huge video inventories sitting in the cloud, which is where Opera TV Snap steps in, the company said in a statement.

The Opera TV Snap solution allows content owners to re-purpose their online video channels and existing video inventory into ready-to-run HTML5 apps for the Opera TV Store, a smart TV app storefront supported by television and set-top-box manufacturers.
 
Opera TV Snap enables content owners to monetise their existing video catalogues through Opera’s own ad networks and similar partnerships. With no special technical skills required to transform content into a smart TV app, Opera TV Snap breaks down the barriers to entry, Opera Software claimed.
 
Dailymotion’s official users can now submit their channels as video apps for the Opera TV Store, simply by visiting opera.com/tvsnap, filling in a description of the channel and clicking submit. The app creation process is completed in under a minute.

“Video has proven to be the most popular app category for smart TV audiences, and it’s no wonder, as larger TV screens can bring viewers up close and personal with their favourite online content,” said Aneesh Rajaram, senior vice-president for TV & Devices at Opera Software.
 
“Opera TV Snap will help brands and content owners effortlessly reach new audiences, while bringing a greater choice of popular video to viewers,” he added.
 
“The big screen is a fast growing new territory for online video, and Dailymotion is proud to provide a new tool to its content partners to benefit from that growth,” said Vincent Martin, vice-president of Media Development at Dailymotion.
 
“The Opera TV Snap solution is a good example of Dailymotion's strategy to simplify distribution and exploit content across all screens and platforms. And, for our users, it will be even easier to find their favourite content directly on their smart TVs,” he said.
 
Video-sharing website Dailymotion says it attracts more than 112 million unique visitors and 2.5 billion video views each month worldwide.
 
To create a TV application with Opera TV Snap using your Dailymotion account, click here once you are logged in on Dailymotion. To watch the product video, click here.
 
Related Stories:
 
Emagine set to disrupt the entire TV experience
 
Samsung to use Azure to manage Smart TV service
 
 
For more technology news and the latest updates, follow @dnewsasia on Twitter or Like us on Facebook.