In anticipation of 12th HbbTV Symposium and Awards event, this second article from a two-part series explores the significance of HbbTV and the role of developers in driving its evolution. As how audiences engage with television continues to transform, HbbTV remains at the forefront of this exciting shift, offering broadcasters, service providers and manufacturers new opportunities to innovate.
Author: Matthew Huntington -Manager of the HbbTV Developer Programme
HbbTV support for IP-only consumers and DVB-I integration
HbbTV has evolved to support IP-only consumers and platforms, this is driven by the significant shift in how TV services are being delivered, with broadcasters offering traditional broadcast experiences over broadband networks. Central to this development is DVB-I, a new standard designed to provide broadcast-quality TV services entirely over the internet.
DVB-I allows consumers to enjoy live TV and on-demand content via smart TVs, streaming boxes, and mobile devices without relying on terrestrial, cable, or satellite signals.
The combination of DVB-I with HbbTV opens new opportunities for broadcasters to reach IP-only audiences, offering interactive features like addressable advertising, catch-up TV, and real-time content recommendations. This move is crucial as the TV industry adapts to the growing prevalence of IP-driven content delivery, enabling broadcasters to compete with OTT platforms while maintaining the reliability and quality viewers expect from traditional TV.
As more consumers embrace broadband-based viewing, HbbTV’s DVB-I support ensures that broadcasters can deliver engaging, interactive services across a broad range of devices.
The importance of innovation and developers
HbbTV's success is built on continuous innovation, and this wouldn't be possible without the contributions of developers. With the platform becoming increasingly complex and integrated with various technologies, developers play a crucial role in shaping the future of HbbTV.
Broadcasters and manufacturers need to stay ahead of the curve to deliver compelling experiences, and this requires constant experimentation and development of new features and services. Whether it's creating new interactive content, optimizing apps for performance, or exploring new ways to engage audiences, developers are the driving force behind HbbTV's evolution.
HbbTV Developer Programme
Recognizing the importance of developers in shaping the future of hybrid TV, the HbbTV Association has established a dedicated HbbTV Developer Programme. This initiative offers resources, tools, and support to developers working on HbbTV-related projects. From access to technical specifications and guidelines to developer forums, the programme is designed to help innovators bring their ideas to life. Details can be found at the programme’s dedicated developer portal.
Additionally, the association hosts HbbTV Interoperability Workshops, where developers can test their applications and services against the HbbTV specification to ensure compatibility across different devices and platforms. The association also provides an open-source reference application and content, showing the use of DRM and MPEG-DASH with HbbTV applications. Anonymised results of running this on a wide range of televisions are available to members.
Conclusion
HbbTV has transformed the traditional TV experience by integrating broadcast and broadband content, offering new possibilities for broadcasters, manufacturers, and viewers alike. As the standard continues to evolve with innovations like Web Assembly and addressable advertising, it is clear that HbbTV will remain at the forefront of hybrid TV technology for years to come.
By fostering a strong developer community and encouraging continuous innovation, HbbTV is well-positioned to meet the demands of the modern, interconnected TV ecosystem. Whether it's enhancing content delivery, creating new revenue streams, or offering more personalized experiences, HbbTV is helping to shape the future of television.
