ITV

Challenge

The tools used to handle important data were linked to an old and no longer supported data source, named Heimdall. This limitation restricted ITV’s ability to form new partnerships and adapt to changes.

Our strategy for modernising the metadata translators involved rewriting the old translators to connect with a new data source, Octopus, replacing the outdated Heimdall system. This strategic shift aimed to enhance data conversion efficiency and reliability to align with partners’ format requirements.

Our team executed the project by ensuring that all metadata translators could seamlessly and effectively convert data to match the specified formats of various partners. This comprehensive rewrite and integration effort ensured a smooth transition and improved system interoperability.

The impact of this initiative was significant. We achieved a seamless connection to the Octopus aggregator service, enhancing the system’s flexibility and compatibility with various partner formats. This improvement enabled more efficient data handling and processing.

Technologies:

• AWS
• Microservices Architecture
• Scala
• Functional Programming (Cats, Cats-Effect, HTTP 4.0, SQL)
• Jenkins
• GitHub Actions
• PostgreSQL

Team Size:

10 people

Duration:

Q3 2023 to Q2 2024

Challenge

The client’s main website, which features live streaming and a TV guide, needed improvements to make it easier for users to find and enjoy content. The existing setup made it difficult for viewers to explore the full range of available programs and live shows.

Our strategy involved collaborating with ITV’s in-house team to optimise the Live and TV Guide pages on itvx.com. This initiative focused on enhancing user experience and increasing channel availability.

We executed the project through several key actions. We conducted A/B testing to improve content discoverability, added detailed program data and more live channels, and introduced new features like Skip Intro/Recap and Pause Ad. To ensure our changes were effective, we gathered user insights through Google Analytics.

We improved user experience with better content discovery and more channels, which in turn increased channel availability and viewer satisfaction.

Technologies:

• AWS
• Microservices Architecture
• React
• Jenkins
• GitHub Actions

Team Size:

5 people

Duration:

Q3 2022 to Present

Challenge

ITV required expert technical support for a critical application that manages specific types of broadcasting signals during live transmissions. This application needed regular updates and quick fixes to ensure broadcasts ran smoothly and met new broadcasting standards. 

Our maintenance strategy for the ESAM application, developed in 2022 by Spyrosoft, encompasses comprehensive management of SCTE-35 markers at the encoder level. This includes normalisation, correction, replacement, removal, and creation of markers to ensure optimal broadcast signal integrity.

We execute maintenance tasks within standard business hours, which include application maintenance to ensure continuous performance and stability, prompt handling of change requests to adapt to evolving business needs, and regular infrastructure maintenance to secure and optimize our systems. Additionally, we offer round-the-clock infrastructure support every day of the year, featuring direct telephone access to our skilled DevOps engineers for urgent needs.

The impact of this strategy has been significant. We have enhanced operational reliability through continuous maintenance and prompt change implementation. Additionally, we have improved system flexibility and efficiency in SCTE-35 marker manipulation, aiding partner integrations like ITV for precise marker reading.

Technologies

• Java
• DevOps tools

Team Size

3 Engineers, 1 Manager

Duration

Ongoing maintenance and support have been provided since the xinitial development of the application in 2022, with continual improvements and updates based on operational needs and technological advancements.

Challenge

ITV needed to expand its Connected TV (CTV) presence by delivering high-quality native applications for platforms like Google TV and Amazon Fire TV. The key challenge was to ensure smooth integration with each ecosystem’s native services while providing a consistent and user-friendly experience across both platforms.

We developed native applications tailored for Google TV and Amazon Fire TV using Java and Kotlin. Our approach included close integration with each platform’s native capabilities – such as content progression features like “Continue Watching.” We also focused on performance optimisation and UX consistency, ensuring seamless navigation and playback across devices.

Our development process involved continuous collaboration with ITV’s internal teams, using agile methodologies to prioritise features and address technical requirements.

Technologies

• Java
• Kotlin

Team Size

1 Android Developer, 1 Frontend Developer

Duration

August 2024 – December 2025 (Ongoing)

Challenge

ITV needed a consistent and secure login experience across its Connected TV and web platforms. Ensuring smooth authentication flows, a unified design, and reliable communication between frontend and backend systems was critical for improving user access to premium content and subscription services.

Our team developed and now maintains the login modules for both CTV and web applications, focusing on the frontend layer. Using React with Next.js and JavaScript/TypeScript, we created modern, responsive login interfaces that communicate seamlessly with ITV’s backend systems. The modules support various authentication scenarios and are optimised for performance and reliability on different platforms.

Technologies

• JavaScript
• TypeScript
• React
• Next.js

Team Size

2 Backend Developers

Duration

April 2025 –  2026 (Ongoing)

Challenge

ITV needed robust and scalable backend services to manage payments and user authentication across its digital platforms. The challenge was to ensure seamless integration with external payment providers while maintaining high security standards and compliance with the OAuth2 protocol.

Our team designed and implemented microservices responsible for handling user authentication and payment flows. Built with Scala 2 and the Cats Effect stack, the services are optimised for performance, stability and fault tolerance. The solution integrates with ITV’s broader architecture and supports secure OAuth2-based authentication processes. Special attention was given to error handling, service reliability and data protection.

Technologies

• Scala 2
• Cats Effect

Team Size

3 x Backend Developers, 1 Frontend Developer

Duration

October 2024 – 2026 (Ongoing)

Challenge

ITV required a backend solution to support dynamic ad replacement and secure stream access based on user entitlements. The goal was to improve ad targeting efficiency and ensure that only authorised users could access specific content on their devices.

We are developing two critical backend components. The first is a dynamic ad replacement service that manages ad schedules and coordinates with downstream systems responsible for rendering and inserting ads into live streams. The second is the Media Selector, which authorises users and delivers the correct stream based on their access rights.

Technologies

• Golang

• Docker

• AWS

• PostgreSQL

Team Size

1 x Backend Developers, 2 Frontend Developer

Duration

April 2025 – 2026 (Ongoing)