The client wanted to created a powerful gateway with a 3D user interface that functioned using a 2D application engine using flash rendering technology. This alone was a huge technical challenge and the reason for which, most companies rejected the proposal, deeming it beyond their scope.

The client wanted an aesthetically pleasing and intuitive interface that conveyed their vision as a product in the future. Literally, the horizon is the furthest point we can see and hence the name was born.

From a business perspective, they wanted to generate incremental ARPU, attract new homes to their platform and reduce churn.

A new design process was created keeping design and development completely separate. Once the designers had created the 3D assets (all animation and graphic content using Open GL and the 2D application, Adobe Flashlite), these were then given to developers, who, by using a plug and play process, were able to translate the design directly to the television.

The 'dance floor' design for the interface was adapted to best fit the image of an horizon. It created depth and fluidity and was based on an ergonomic and interactive user interface.

Features such as the ability to connect cable content to PC, iPads and smartphones, the integration of applications and web-based content, the Horizon TV online portal and the iPad and iPhone applications have all been well received.

Within five months after the launch more than 100,000 subscriptions to the service were sold and the company had over 200,000 Horizon TV online and multiscreen users in the Netherlands.

Horizon was launched in Switzerland in January, 2013. During the first month it had over 20,000 subscriptions and about 10,000 online TV users.