Open Preferences
Discover how CityNet and UniqCast transformed a traditional TV service into a modern, scalable IPTV/OTT entertainment platform — combining multicast IPTV, multiscreen OTT, content aggregation, advanced discovery, monetization, and legacy device support within one centralized environment.
The result: a platform designed not only for today’s viewers, but for CityNet’s future growth.
TV modernization does not necessarily mean replacing everything that already works.
CityNet wanted to move beyond a traditional live-TV-oriented service and introduce a significantly richer IPTV/OTT experience for the Azerbaijan market — while continuing to support existing customers, multicast delivery, legacy devices, business systems, and established operational processes.
Working with UniqCast, CityNet created a hybrid platform capable of serving traditional IPTV subscribers and OTT users across multiple networks and devices from a unified environment.
And importantly, the transformation created a foundation for much more than a new TV interface.
CityNet needed to modernize its TV proposition while balancing several requirements simultaneously:
At the same time, CityNet wanted a significantly more modern user experience without forcing existing customers to completely change the way they watch television.
UniqCast delivered a turnkey IPTV/OTT solution designed around CityNet’s technical, operational, and business requirements.
The platform combines traditional IPTV and modern OTT delivery while supporting users across Android AOSP and Android TV Operator Tier STBs, Smart TVs, mobile, web, Apple TV, and other supported devices.
This gives CityNet the flexibility to serve customers both inside and outside its own broadband footprint — turning TV from a network-bound service into a wider entertainment proposition.
Hybrid IPTV + OTT
Serve traditional IPTV and OTT subscribers through one centralized platform.
Multiscreen Experience
Extend the service across Android STBs, Android TV, Smart TVs, mobile, web, Apple TV, and other connected devices.
Legacy Device Integration
Bring existing Linux STBs into the new platform instead of maintaining a separate legacy environment.
Modern Content Discovery
Turn Catch-Up TV into a content-led experience with dynamic catalogs, content rails, “Discover and Watch,” and a vertical TV Guide.
OTT Aggregation
Bring services including Netflix, Megogo, Digiturk, KinoBox, and streaming apps into a broader entertainment environment.
TV Store & Monetization
Enable package upselling, direct operator billing, credit-card payments, and additional revenue opportunities directly from the TV experience.
Three-Site Geo-Redundancy
Create a resilient platform architecture distributed across three sites for increased availability and business continuity.
Multitenancy
Provide a centralized foundation for integrating acquired cable and ISP businesses without creating new technical islands.
Within four months, UniqCast deployed the new platform and enabled CityNet to start offering the service to new users.
The first phase included the turnkey IPTV/OTT platform, geo-redundancy across three sites, middleware, transcoding, multi-DRM, Fast Channel Change, and the core infrastructure required for multiscreen delivery.
The following phases focused on migration — including integration of older Linux STBs into the same centralized environment used for the new generation of services.
The new platform gave CityNet a foundation across five strategically important areas.
Expand reach
Offer TV beyond CityNet's own broadband network through OTT.
Improve engagement
Make live, Catch-Up, recorded, and OTT content easier to discover.
Generate additional revenue
Support TV Store purchases, add-on packages, operator billing, card payments, and future targeted advertising.
Simplify expansion
Use multitenancy to integrate acquired cable and ISP businesses into a centralized environment.
Reduce hardware dependency
Expand Smart TV delivery and create greater flexibility as STB hardware costs increase.
The case study describes the platform as enabling CityNet to combine reach, UX, monetization, operations, and device strategy within a single foundation for future development.
This case study is particularly relevant if you are:
A telecom provider modernizing an existing IPTV service
An ISP or fiber provider looking to add or expand TV
A Pay-TV provider planning IPTV/OTT migration
An operator with legacy STBs that cannot simply be replaced overnight
A provider expanding beyond its own network footprint
A company consolidating multiple operators or TV platforms
A provider looking to aggregate OTT services and content
A TV business exploring Smart TV, monetization, or advertising strategies
Read the complete case study to see how CityNet and UniqCast approached platform architecture, migration, device strategy, content discovery, aggregation, monetization, and future scalability.
