YouView reveals user interface details

YouView has revealed details of how its user interface will look and feel when it launches next year.

The joint venture online streaming service has published its draft User Interface and Search Policy for consultation with the industry, which sets out how content will be presented to viewers in a way that makes it easy for them to discover. It also details YouView’s approach to allocating positions to video on demand content providers in the YouView user interface.

YouView, which said it is on track to launch in early 2012, will deliver content and services to TV sets by combining digital TV with catch-up TV, on demand services and internet-delivered applications.

Various content providers will be able to make their content available via YouView, and the YouView User Interface and Search Policy aims to ensure that positions in the user interface and search results are awarded on a fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory basis, the consortium said.

The YouView user interface is comprised of a top level main menu, which will include the following tabs:

Search, which will provide viewers with the ability to search for content across the YouView user interface.

My View, which contains a list of a viewer’s personal recordings, and a list of all scheduled recordings and reminders.

Guide, which provides listings of linear content by channel for approximately the next seven days, together with any available catch-up or on-demand content for each linear channel the same period.

On Demand, which provides viewers with access to on demand portals and aggregated lists of on demand content displayed by YouView.

ISP, which will provide information on the services provided by the viewer’s own ISP providing it is an ‘affiliate ISP’.

Settings, which will display actionable and customer information settings that are held by YouView and the device manufacturer.

Help, which will provide access to help videos and local diagnostic tools.

Apps, which will give access to apps that are not on demand portals.

YouView said content and services will be allocated a listing or user interface listing position in the Guide, On Demand and Apps sections. Positions will only be considered for allocation once a content provider has been confirmed by YouView as meeting all business, operational and technical pre-allocation requirements.

The policy has been developed with reference to the principles set out in the Ofcom Code of Practice on Electronic Programme Guides, which means it gives appropriate prominence to public service channels

The industry consultation period will close at 17.00 on November 4.