We’re pleased to share that Wiztivi has once again been shortlisted for the Streaming Media European Innovation Awards. In 2025, we’re in contention for the OTT Video Platform/Service category.
The nomination recognises our work for French telco SFR on their STB-Less Smart TV Experience, a project that’s at the forefront of an industry-wide trend to redefine how Pay TV is delivered without proprietary hardware.
The SFR TV app was developed by Wiztivi in close collaboration with SFR, one of France’s leading telecom providers. The project’s mission was to deliver the full Pay TV experience- including live channels, replay TV, VOD and recording capabilities - without the need for a set-top box.
Built for compatible Samsung and Hisense Smart TVs, the app is downloadable directly from the TV’s app store and designed to mirror the familiar interface and functionality of the traditional SFR STB. This ensures consistency and ease-of-use for customers no matter which device they’re using.
By eliminating the need for physical hardware, the app significantly simplifies onboarding for consumers. There’s no technician appointment to wait for, no cables to install, and no hardware compatibility issues to manage. Viewers simply install the app, log in, and enjoy features like 4K HDR, Dolby Vision, and multi-room streaming with up to five simultaneous users.
The innovation goes beyond convenience. For SFR, the STB-less model offers a smarter, more agile way to expand its market footprint. With no need to ship and maintain hardware, the operator cuts operational costs, reduces its environmental impact, and accelerates time-to-market - especially in cases where fiber connections or technician visits would previously have been a barrier to service activation.
The app-based approach also opens new commercial opportunities: it places SFR directly in the Smart TV ecosystem, enabling viewers in multi-TV households to get the most from their subscription without paying for additional STBs. It’s a forward-thinking solution that future-proofs the TV service for evolving viewer habits and device usage.
This nomination reflects a broader trend in the industry: the decoupling of Pay TV services from proprietary hardware. With this app, Wiztivi and SFR are at the forefront of that shift.
Our Smart TV expertise, combined with a focus on seamless design and robust technical delivery, has helped create a product that is both operator-friendly and consumer-centric. And it shows what’s possible when innovation is applied not just to features, but to the business model itself.
Voting for the Streaming Media European Innovation Awards is now open and runs until 27th June 2025. If you’d like to support Wiztivi’s entry in the OTT Video Platform/Service category, you can vote here: it only takes a minute, and your support means a lot!
You can also learn more about Wiztivi’s previous work with SFR in our case studies section, including the SFR gaming service.