Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV
Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) is both an industry standard (European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI) TS 102 796)[1] and promotional initiative for hybrid digital television[clarification needed] to harmonise the broadcast, Internet Protocol Television (IPTV), and broadband delivery of entertainment to the end consumer through connected TVs (smart TVs) and set-top boxes.
HbbTV can show digital television content from a number of different sources including traditional broadcast TV, Internet, and connected devices in the home.
The transitional arrangements towards the opening of membership would involve withdrawal of a number of privileges, including participation in meetings and contribution to further versions of the specification, from supporters that did not sign up.
The two initiatives were combined under the HbbTV Association's banner because the markets for IPTV, OTT and hybrid broadcast and broadband TV are converging.
The OpApp also offers HD+ viewers an 'instant restart' function, direct access to catch-up TV services and an interactive, customisable programme guide.
The OpApp acts like a virtual set-top box inside the smart TV so platform operators can provide a branded, uniform interface across different manufacturers.
Hybrid set-top boxes are increasingly commonplace amongst pay-TV operators, as they look to meet the changing media consumption trends for more video content, advanced interactivity and internet applications, like social networking.
Operators like n, a division of ITI Neovision in Poland, and Telekom Austria are two of the leaders in the deployment of hybrid set-top boxes.
[11] The HbbTV consortium has over 75 supporting members from the CE and broadcast industries, including:[12] The HbbTV Association steering group currently comprises representatives from: BBC, Cellnex Telecom, Deutsche Telekom, EBU, Resillion, LG, Panasonic, RAI, Reti Televisive Italiane, RTL Group, Salto, Samsung, Sony, Tivù Sat, TP Vision and Vewd.
The establishment of a unified European HbbTV standard means "content owners and application developers can write once and deploy to many countries".
[14] The HbbTV specification was developed by industry members of the consortium and is based on elements of existing standards and web technologies including the Open IPTV Forum,[15] CEA, DVB, and W3C.
[4] The European Broadcasting Union General Assembly has given its support to the HbbTV initiative and described the technology as "one of the most exciting developments in the media today".
As of December 2011, HbbTV services were in regular operation in France, Germany and Spain, with announcements of adoption in Austria, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Denmark, Netherlands, Poland, Switzerland, Turkey, and trials in Australia, China, Japan, and the United States.
[37] In February 2020, German public broadcaster ARD launched Replay TV, offering viewers the option of restarting a running programme, via HbbTV.
In 2011 the Dutch national public networks, NPO 1, 2, and 3 began broadcasting HbbTV "red button" applications including a program guide and catch-up TV instead of developing separate apps for particular platforms.
[40] In Nordic region (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, Sweden, and Ireland) the NorDig standardization forum has adopted the HbbTV specification which replaces DVB-MHP as the common API for hybrid digital receivers.
[42] In November 2011 Spain's Ministry of Industry approved a document signed by 54 companies adopting the HbbTV standard and broadcasters, Mediaset España, Canal+ and Telefónica have run pilot services.
[53] HD terrestrial services have encouraged a range of device manufacturers to launch new hybrid set-top boxes for the UK consumer retail market.
[54] Such boxes enable the aggregation of traditional linear TV broadcasts with video delivered via both managed (cable) and unmanaged IP networks (the internet).
A hybrid IPTV platform helps operators increase average revenue per user (ARPU), whilst eliminating expensive duplication in network infrastructure investment.
"[61] In 2013 researchers from TU Darmstadt found widespread non-consensual use of web analytics technologies, such as third-party cookies, in HbbTV content to track viewing patterns.
