November 29, 2019

HbbTV confirmed by key market participants as the platform to deliver their next-generation TV services

Geneva, November 29, 2019 – Leading players of the global connected TV industry confirmed their strong commitment and enthusiasm for the HbbTV standard as an enabler of compelling next-generation TV and video services and new business models at the 8th HbbTV Symposium and Awards, co-hosted by the HbbTV Association and national Greek TV and radio broadcaster ERT in Athens on November 21-22, 2019.

Major broadcasters and platform operators explained the key role the open HbbTV specifications play in the transformation of their business to successfully meet the challenges in an increasingly competitive environment. Both established and new players showed how they already use or plan to use HbbTV as a tool to enhance the viewing experience, simplify access and open up new revenue sources, for example through the HbbTV OpApp, which acts as a virtual set-top box in the TV set, or the upcoming HbbTV specification for targeted advertising (HbbTV-TA), and suggested further improvements of the specifications based on their requirements and future plans.

“We are excited about the successful HbbTV Symposium and Awards 2019 in Athens, with over 280 delegates participating in the booked-out event to address and discuss the latest developments and trends in the global broadcast and broadband industry,” said Vincent Grivet, Chair of the HbbTV Association. “With great pleasure we notice the increasing number of broadcasters and platform operators pro-actively implementing or counting on HbbTV, including the OpApp, for their next-generation TV and video services. This becomes much more visible, and it is elevating the duties of the HbbTV Association to serve such a dynamic ecosystem.”

The HbbTV Symposium 2019 also hosted the 3rd edition of the HbbTV Awards, showcasing and celebrating excellence and best practice in the HbbTV community. The prizes were awarded at a prestigious ceremony on November 21. The full list of the winners of the HbbTV Awards 2019 can be found here.

The 9th HbbTV Symposium and Awards will take place in Paris, France, in autumn 2020, celebrating the 10-year anniversary of HbbTV. The event will be co-hosted with Salto, the new platform recently established by leading broadcasters in France.

Note to editors: The presentations of the HbbTV Symposium 2019, pictures and videos of the HbbTV Awards 2019 winners and a photo gallery are available on the HbbTV website.