Overview

ViaTV is a mobile streaming platform owned by Vianet, a major internet service provider in Nepal. The app combines features similar to Netflix—such as on-demand series and movies—with live TV broadcasting, a major draw for its Nepali user base.

During my summer internship at Vianet, I was tasked with redesigning the ViaTV mobile app to feel more modern, intuitive, and visually aligned with global competitors—without alienating its existing users. This was a solo design project executed under the mentorship of a team leader.

Problems

The original ViaTV app felt visually outdated, and raw—especially compared to global competitors like Netflix or Disney+. It lacked the visual and functional standards that modern users expect from a streaming platform.

The interface looked old and unpolished, with inconsistent colors and weak visual hierarchy

Important sections like Live TV were hard to navigate

There was no search functionality, making discovery slow and frustrating

The app didn’t reflect Vianet’s status as a major ISP, which hurt credibility

Users familiar with polished apps like Netflix or Prime Video were unlikely to stay engaged

Goals

Modernize the UI to match current streaming standards → To create a polished, high-quality experience that builds user trust and meets the expectations of today’s streaming audiences.

Streamline navigation, with a focus on improving Live TV access → Because Live TV is a key feature for ViaTV’s users, yet the original interface made it difficult to access or browse comfortably.

Introduce a search function for easier content discovery → To reduce friction and help users quickly find specific shows, channels, or genres without endless scrolling.

Incorporate global design patterns to appeal to users familiar with platforms like Netflix → To make the app feel intuitive and premium to new users, especially those already using international streaming platforms.

Preserve key legacy elements (like the bottom navigation) for existing users → To avoid alienating current users by keeping familiar navigation patterns, making the transition to the new design smoother, And also to make it more “Nepali”

Modernize the UI to match current streaming standards
→ To create a polished, high-quality experience that builds user trust and meets the expectations of today’s streaming audiences.

Streamline navigation, with a focus on improving Live TV access
→ Because Live TV is a key feature for ViaTV’s users, yet the original interface made it difficult to access or browse comfortably.

Introduce a search function for easier content discovery
→ To reduce friction and help users quickly find specific shows, channels, or genres without endless scrolling.

Incorporate global design patterns to appeal to users familiar with platforms like Netflix
→ To make the app feel intuitive and premium to new users, especially those already using international streaming platforms.

Preserve key legacy elements (like the bottom navigation) for existing users
→ To avoid alienating current users by keeping familiar navigation patterns, making the transition to the new design smoother, And also to make it more “Nepali”

Constraints & Approach

No access to user data or research participants due to project scope
Relied on competitive analysis (Netflix, Hotstar, Hulu)
Used my own experience as a frequent user of streaming apps
Incorporated feedback from my team leader at key design stages

Research & Analysis

What I studied:
- Netflix's layout and content hierarchy
- How live TV is handled in YouTube TV
- Bottom navigation and content carousels in global OTT apps

Key insights:
- Familiarity builds trust (especially among non-tech-savvy users)
- Live content needs immediate access, not buried in menus
- Dark themes reduce eye strain during prolonged viewing

Wire frame

Key Redesign Features

Bottom Navigation

Dark Theme

Bold Visual Hierarchy

Search Function

Live TV Layout

Rounded Edges

Ensuring familiarity for the Nepali audience

Bottom Navigation

Retained from the original app for user familiarity, featuring core sections: Home, Series, Live TV, Movies, and Profile.

Dark Theme

Reduced eye strain, improved viewing comfort in low-light environments, and aligned with modern streaming app aesthetics.

Bold Visual Hierarchy

Enhanced readability and scannability, especially on smaller mobile screens, ensuring important elements stand out.

Search Function

Newly added to streamline content discovery, allowing users to quickly find specific shows or channels.

Live TV Layout

Refined and improved layouts for the Series, Movies, and Live TV sections, with channels grouped into swipeable categories for faster and more intuitive navigation.

Rounded Edges

Introduced softer, rounded UI elements (cards, buttons, thumbnails) to create a friendlier and more approachable feel, reducing the harshness of sharp corners and aligning with modern design trends. Rounded edges also help guide the eye naturally across the screen, improving visual flow.

Ensuring familiarity for the Nepali audience

To improve familiarity for the Nepali audience, there is a traditional bottom navigation bar. Using icons and layouts that Nepali users are already accustomed to will create a more intuitive experience and encourage them to stay engaged.

Original User Interface

Final Design

Live TV

High fidelity prototype

Final Product Design

High fidelity prototype

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