In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital entertainment, broadcasters such as Direct-to-Home (DTH) or Cable operators are increasingly exploring innovative revenue streams to stay competitive. One promising avenue is non-linear advertising revenue. By embracing non-linear advertising, Pay-TV operators can create a new revenue stream from advertisers and tap into advanced capabilities and strategies to boost their ARPU. Additionally, they can provide a more engaging and personalized viewing experience for their subscribers. 

Q-Ad™ is an innovative solution designed to help operators and set-top box (STB) manufacturers generate revenue through non-linear advertising. It enables targeted ads delivery over one-way broadcast networks. 

What is Non Linear Ads? 

Non-linear advertising refers to a type of advertising that is not directly tied to linear video consumption, such as live television. Non-linear ads are displayed additionally and simultaneously with the main video stream. 

With non-linear ads, the user experience is less impacted than with advertising breaks. Furthermore, contextual targeting and interactivity bring more interest for the viewer. 

These ads are designed to be prominently displayed on the user interface (UI) of a set-top box (STB). They can appear in several key locations, such as: 

• Launch Screen: Visible immediately when the set-top box is turned on. 

• Picture-in-Picture (PiP): Layered over a live broadcast channel without interrupting the viewing experience. 

• Electronic Program Guide (EPG): Embedded within the TV guide interface. 

• Channel Menu Bar: Displayed when the user changes channels. 

Why Non-Linear Ads can significantly boost DTH operator revenue? 

The main key advantages of Non-Linear advertising and strategies for operators to increase their revenue are: 

This allows targeted ads to be delivered to specific households based on demographic, geographic, or behavioral data. By providing more relevant ads to viewers, DTH operators can increase the price per view of ads. 

DTH operators can leverage non-linear advertising across multiple platforms such as mobile apps, websites, social media, and on-demand services, creating a seamless experience for viewers. For example, a customer might see an ad for an exclusive DTH package while watching content on their mobile app and then be retargeted with a similar offer when they log in to the DTH service on their TV. 

Non-linear advertising can be used to provide time-sensitive promotions or dynamic pricing models. For example, DTH operators can run targeted ads offering discounts or bundle deals for limited-time subscriptions based on viewer behavior. If a potential customer has been watching a certain genre of content but hasn't subscribed to the corresponding channels, an operator might show them an ad for a discounted bundle or a free trial period. These personalized offers increase the chances of conversion and encourage subscribers to purchase more packages. 

DTH operators offering VOD or catch-up TV services can use non-linear advertising to promote specific content. For instance, an operator could serve ads for a newly available movie or show that the viewer is likely to enjoy based on their past viewing habits. These non-linear ad strategies can increase content consumption, drive up subscription renewals, and promote additional pay-per-view services, contributing directly to increased revenue. 


5. Promoting Additional Services or Features

Non-linear advertising is an effective way to introduce and promote additional features or services that DTH operators offer. For instance, an operator could create ads promoting advanced features like DVR functionality, multi-screen viewing, or access to exclusive sports events. Targeting customers who have shown an interest in those features can boost adoption rates and provide new revenue streams. 

Easy to deploy Q-Ad™ with a very fast return on investment 

The -Ad™ solution can be deployed on an operator's existing infrastructure by adding a server to ingest ads into the transponder stream and updating the legacy STB with MStore technology. Q-Ad is compatible with all broadcast networks, whether satellite, terrestrial, or cable 

As an example, with two million deployed STBs, a DTH operator can generate a new revenue stream from ads exceeding $1 million USD per year, with a return on investment within one year. 

Conclusion 

Already deployed with great success by JIO in India, Q-Ad™ is the perfect solution for DTH operators to generate a new revenue stream and for STB manufacturers to differentiate themselves from the competition by offering an innovative solution. Furthermore, with Q-Ad's innovative features, the DTH operator can also increase the ARPU and reduce churn.