Orange launches "la nouvelle TV d'Orange", a next-generation subscription TV service which allows Orange to upgrade its IPTV service with a state-of-the-art user-experience and prepare the infrastructure for the new challenges of Over-the-Top video, multiple screens and unlimited content. "la nouvelle TV d'Orange" boasts a new user interface, which includes VOD, CatchUp TV, content discovery and recommendations, EPG, PVR, self-developed applications and more.

Viaccess a leader in content security solutions, and its fully-owned subsidiary Orca Interactive, a pioneer and leader in IPTV middleware, provide a unified service platform which includes the Service Delivery Platform, Content Discovery platform, Conditional Access System and native multi-screen solution. It is adapted for IPTV, OTT delivery and Hybrid, combining different delivery modes.

Beginning in late November 2011, Orange began migrating its customer base of IPTV customers to Viaccess and Orca's Unified Platform. Migration of satellite customers will follow. Overall, Orange has over 5.1m customers to its TV services in Europe as of Dec 31 2011. This represents the largest-ever IPTV middleware migration, a process in which three different existing services over ADSL, FTTH and hybrid satellite-IP will be converged onto a single unified platform from Orca and Viaccess.

To date, approximately 400,000 subscribers have joined the new service platform in less than three months.

Orange's primary motive for adopting this unified platform concerned service velocity - the ability to rapidly develop and introduce innovative new apps into the market without being dependent on the vendor. It also provides the ability to seamlessly combine linear and non-linear viewing and increase device independence.

Today, Orange faces stiff competition in the French market. A key differentiator in the new service is COMPASS, a unique Content Discovery platform which personalizes the content offering for each user according to their preferences and usage habits.