HD+ TV App

With version 3.0 of its TV app, HD+ is further advancing the integration of linear television and streaming services. Originally launched in 2019 as a world-first, the Operator Application seamlessly merges both worlds, offering a holistic hybrid Satellite/IP viewing experience. The 3.0 update lets users search and access over 60,000 on-demand titles. The revamped search function enhances navigation between live TV and on-demand content, while deeper metadata integration optimizes searches by actors or genres. With a clearer home section and improved EPG features, HD+ now provides even more convenience for TV viewers.

Description

First introduced in 2019, the HD+ TV app as an HbbTV Operator Application was designed to bridge the gap between linear TV and non-linear, like restart or on-demand libraries. From the beginning, it has fully embraced the ""HbbTV Operator Applications"" standard, steadily adopting new features. The 3.0 update elevates this to a new level, allowing users to search over 60,000 on-demand titles across various providers. With offerings from both public and private broadcasters in Germany, the app serves as a free alternative to paid streaming services. Enhanced search functionality now includes information about actors and crew and offers users the choice to view either free content or, if desired, content from paid services. Improved navigation and deeper metadata integration allow viewers to search by genre or discover more content related to their favourite genre or actor. The availability of each content in Live-TV, catch-up and/or streaming services is now visible at one glance. The redesigned home section offers curated recommendations from on-demand libraries, providing immediate access to highlights for playback. Additionally, the upgraded EPG lets users see if a current show can be restarted or how long it will run. Besides if a programme is broadcasted in parallel in UHD, this is indicated, and the customer can switch by only click. This is complemented by customizable channel lists with a very easy-to-use channel list editor.
By using HbbTV as a widespread standard across many different platforms and brands, HD+ was able to migrate the entire install base across all platforms to the new version of the app based on the same app code. In this respect, HbbTV is unique and helps platforms like HD+ to distribute apps on an economic basis.

Impact

The HD+ TV App 3.0 revolutionizes the TV experience by integrating linear and non-linear content more seamlessly than ever before. This creates a more comfortable and intuitive viewing experience for users. The significantly enhanced search function and deeper metadata integration make it easier to find desired content quickly, whether it's live TV or on-demand libraries or streaming services. Viewers can effortlessly tap into the vast collection of free content offered by German broadcasters amongst several content providers. The app enables smooth navigation across different content sources, providing multiple intuitive ways for users to discover their favourite shows. This innovation reinforces HD+ as a pioneer in the HbbTV space and democratizes access to free TV content in Germany. By enabling users to easily navigate and access both linear and on-demand programming, HD+ strengthens its position as a leader in the integration of broadcast and streaming services, showcasing its commitment to improving the overall TV experience. Through this, HD+ continues to drive forward the future of hybrid TV experiences, blending traditional broadcasting with modern streaming.