Transforming Traditional TV Programme into a Delightful Tablet Viewing Experience
Redefining the EPG (TV Guide) Experience for iPad
Design Goal
I focused on improving the functionality and user experience of an RPVI-patented Electronic Program Guide (EPG).
I identified key features aligned with user needs and industry trends through research and user surveys
Simple TV usage study
Customer Research
Nielsen’s research highlights a clear generation gap in TV consumption. Adults aged 50+, especially retirees, watch over six to seven hours of TV daily, driven by increased leisure time. In contrast, younger adults watch significantly less due to busy lifestyles and diverse entertainment options.
To better understand our target audience, we developed a user persona based on these insights. This persona helps guide our design decisions, ensuring the product aligns with the needs and preferences of our primary users.
Ban Andreou
Male
Site Director
Retired
Age 60
married
Sport Lover
BIO
Ban, a retired site director, spends most of his time watching TV. He’s a Rugby fan, enjoys movies and shows, and prefers recording programs to skip ads.
Needs
• Quick access to programs that match his interests.
• Detailed show information, including cast, episode guides, and ratings—not just a basic plot summary.
• A streamlined, intuitive process for recording shows.
Frustrations
• Wasting time browsing to find engaging content.
• Limited visibility of show schedules beyond a single day, with no access to reviews or ratings.
• Difficulty locating the record button in traditional Rovi EPG interfaces.
Key Challenges in Using the iPad EPG App
The iPad’s smaller screen compared to traditional TVs can hinder content visibility and ease of interaction, making it challenging for users to comfortably navigate and view content. Touchscreen navigation issues also arise, as inadvertent touches can disrupt the user experience, emphasizing the need for precise and intuitive controls.
Findability challenges make it difficult for users to locate specific programs or channels due to cluttered layouts and limited search functionalities, affecting overall content discovery.
Conceptual UI design
An intuitive menu system with clear gestures and visual cues for easy navigation between viewing modes.
Advanced search, genre filters, and personalized recommendations based on viewing history.
A clean, organized EPG design with logical categorization for quick content discovery.
Wireframes and High-Fidelity Design
I focused on two key EPG components:
Unlike the traditional Rovi TV guide, which expands details with clicks, the tablet version uses a right-slide panel for a seamless, space-efficient experience.
To reduce the uncertainty of finding new shows, personalized recommendations based on viewing history are featured on the main page, offering daily program suggestions tailored to user preferences.
The timeline view adjusts to match each show’s duration, even for brief five-minute slots. A scalable table allows users to zoom in and out horizontally using touch gestures or a slider for precise control, ensuring all program details are visible.
Additional UI elements enhance the experience by highlighting live shows, currently airing programs, recorded content, and upcoming recordings. A toggleable time overlay emphasizes live content without adding visual clutter.
