The Service List Registry enables users to access audio and video media over multiple network technologies and topologies, supporting a wide range of use cases. This allows broadcasters to evolve their services and keep their options open on emerging delivery technologies. It can also make more efficient and effective use of available broadcast bandwidth and radio frequency spectrum, improving the quality of experience for all users.
Prominence and provenance — Regulators can approve service lists to provide prominence for public service broadcasters and assurance of the provenance of licensed services.
Multiscreen reach — Similar service line-ups can be delivered online or over mobile networks to complement broadcast services and extend distribution to devices and displays without a traditional tuner or coaxial cable connection.
Accessibility — Ordered service lists with logical numbering can enable easy navigation and simple service selection using a remote control or assistive technologies, aiding accessibility for users with different sensory, cognitive or physical abilities.
Smart navigation — Service lists can be used to support integration with smart homes and voice control systems, providing a standard approach to service discovery and recommendations.
Enhanced quality — Various versions of media can be offered with enhanced audio or video quality according to the capabilities of different devices and displays.
Regionalisation — Regional or local programming can be delivered online as opt-in streams, reducing redundant replication of broadcast channels.
Time-shifting — Secondary channels, such as versions broadcast with an hour delay, can be supplemented by or ultimately replaced with on-demand playback services.
Resilience — Alternative sources for a service can provide failover fallback from one type of network to another to offer improved resilience and availability.
Occasional services — Special services for sporting events and other occasions can be temporarily added to and seamlessly integrated with existing service lists.
Alternative options — Different audio versions or video viewpoints can be offered to support different languages, local commentary, or or alternative visual presentation, based on personal preferences.
Virtual channels — Special interest streaming services can be offered together with traditional channels, integrated within the same service list and programme guide.
Access services — Enhanced services such as audio description or sign language can be offered as additional streams for audience accessibility.
Network migration — Parallel services can be distributed over data networks, including multicast streams, allowing for long-term migration from broadcast delivery.
On-demand integration — An on-demand application can be made accessible as a virtual channel within a service list, unifying the user experience.
Service aggregation — Platform providers can assemble free or subscription services from multiple sources and offer them under their own brand and user experience.
On-site redistribution — Ordered service lists with tuning parameters facilitate the reception of satellite, terrestrial or cable services for on-site redistribution to locally networked devices and displays.
Network televisions — Service lists provide a standard mechanism for screens without a conventional radio frequency connection or receiver to discover and access audiovisual services.
While many of these features can be implemented on proprietary platforms or in custom applications, service lists based on open standards bring these capabilities to any compatible device or display.
It is no longer necessary to compromise by offering a universal service that can be difficult to upgrade. Instead, service providers can offer an optimum experience based on the capabilities of devices or displays and available networks.