Eutelsat and Vestel are pleased to announce the commercial launch of the first Smart TV supporting the enhanced UX features of Sat.tv Connect, at DVB World 2025. Leveraging the DVB-I and HbbTV standards, the new range of innovative Smart TVs from Vestel provides an enhanced user experience, with dynamic installation of channel lists and an advanced Electronic Program Guide (EPG) displaying hundreds of Free-to-Air (FTA) TV channels available on the HOTBIRD 13°East and Eutelsat-Nilesat 7/8° West satellite TV hot spots.
Designed for TV markets across Europe, the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), Vestel's new generation of Smart TVs with integrated satellite tuner eliminates the need for an external decoder (Set-Top-Box) and offers instant access to a wide range of FTA satellite channels in the easiest and most viewer-friendly manner.
Sat.tv Connect: a revolution in FTA satellite channel discovery
Developed by Eutelsat, Sat.tv Connect uses the DVB-I standard to deliver a seamless and unified content discovery experience, with an enhanced EPG that significantly improves user engagement. The standards-based solution redefines the presentation of FTA channels on Eutelsat's satellites, offering:
- Over 30 Sat.tv channel lists, presenting channels sorted by country or language.
- Simplified channel installation via "Instant Tuning" and "LCN Range" functions, which allow direct access to TV and radio channels without the time-consuming pre-scanning of frequencies.
- Enhanced EPG with channel logos, thumbnails and detailed programme information, seamlessly integrated with the native TV interface, zapping banner and TV guide.
- Hybrid approach that combines traditional FTA satellite channels with FAST (Free Ad-Supported Streaming TV) services to expand the content offering.
With its standalone HbbTV application, Sat.tv Connect also enhances TV navigation on any HbbTV compliant connected TV. This enables users to explore all the FTA services available on HOTBIRD and 7/8° West.
A Strategic Partnership Between Eutelsat and Vestel
Jean-Luc Deroudilhe, SVP Advanced TV Services at Eutelsat, commented: “This is a fantastic opportunity to bring the Sat.tv service directly into Vestel’s Connected TV. With native support for DVB-I and HbbTV, users can enjoy a very large choice of free satellite channels with a truly enhanced experience and without the need for an external set-top box.”
Atınç Öğüt, Deputy General Manager of Vestel Consumer Electronics Product Management representing Vestel, emphasized: “Our strategic partnership with Eutelsat to integrate Sat.tv into Vestel Smart TVs reinforces our commitment to innovation. By pioneering native support for DVB-I, Vestel is not only enhancing the viewing experience, but also shaping the future of television. We are proud to deliver a seamless, future-proof solution that brings greater accessibility, convenience and enriched content to audiences worldwide.”
Availability
Vestel Smart TV with Sat.tv Connect will be available across Europe and MENA markets starting from Q3/2025 onwards on the brands such as Vestel, Telefunken.