November 4, 2019

Top speakers to keynote HbbTV Symposium 2019

Geneva, November 4, 2019 – The HbbTV Association, a global initiative dedicated to providing open standards for the delivery of advanced interactive TV services through broadcast and broadband networks for connected TV sets and set-top boxes, has unveiled the keynote speakers of the HbbTV Symposium and Awards 2019, taking place on November 21-22 in Athens, Greece.

Vincent Grivet, Chairman of the HbbTV Association, will open the conference and, in his “state of the nation” address, give an overview of HbbTV’s current market position and further developments. A welcome speech will be held by Giorgos Gabritsos, Managing Director of Greek national TV and radio broadcaster ERT, which co-hosts the event.

In the keynotes, Paul Gray, Research and Analysis Associate Director of IHS Markit, will review the global TV market, covering trends and forecasts, the impact of new technologies and the position of HbbTV. Wilfried Urner, CEO of HD Plus, will report about the objectives, challenges, marketing and market perception of the German DTH satellite platform operator’s first deployment of the HbbTV OpApp.

Ron Wheeler, who was Senior Vice President, Content Protection and Technology Strategy for Twentieth Century Fox prior to Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox, will update delegates on the piracy challenges facing the broadcast ecosystem and how to meet them. Jon Piesing, Vice-Chairman of the HbbTV Association, Chairman of DVB’s Technical Module working group and Director Standardisation at TP Vision, will provide the latest news on HbbTV specifications and related activities aimed at growing HbbTV’s value.

The conference programme also includes panel presentations focusing on topics such as targeted advertising, improving the user experience, international developments and the role of HbbTV in future environments such as DVB-I and 5G Broadcast. A roundtable discussion will debate whether HbbTV provides the right tools for broadcasters and operators.

“We are proud and excited about the impressive line-up of top-level executives from the global broadcast and broadband industry headlining the 8th HbbTV Symposium and Awards,” said Vincent Grivet, Chairman of the HbbTV Association. “This reflects the key role of the HbbTV specifications for established and new players in the growing market for hybrid solutions bridging the TV and online world for the benefit of consumers.”

The HbbTV Symposium 2019 will also host the third edition of the HbbTV Awards, showcasing and celebrating excellence in the HbbTV community. The prices will be awarded at a prestigious ceremony in the evening of November 21. An independent jury of industry experts will select the winners from a shortlist of finalists which has recently been announced.

The online registration form for the 8th HbbTV Symposium and Awards as well as more details on the conference programme, the HbbTV Awards, the event venue and hotel recommendations can be found at www.hbbtv.org/8th-hbbtv-symposium-and-awards-2019/.