Tag: Specification

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HbbTV Association publishes HbbTV 2.0.5 core specification

Posted on by Matthew Huntington

Geneva, 2 March 2026 – The HbbTV Association, a global initiative dedicated to providing open standards for advanced interactive TV services via broadcast and broadband networks, has published version 2.0.5 of its core specification, marking a major step in the evolution of the HbbTV standard. The specification was approved at the latest meeting of the HbbTV Steering Group.

HbbTV 2.0.5 is an incremental update to HbbTV 2.0.4, published two years ago, and represents a significant technical advancement for hybrid and interactive television services. The most notable change is the formal integration of Digital Rights Management (DRM) into the core specification. While HbbTV devices have supported DRM for many years, this is the first time it has been explicitly defined, providing a harmonised, interoperable approach across the ecosystem. Support for at least one of the DRM systems listed in the HbbTV DRM specification published six months ago – Microsoft PlayReady or Google Widevine – is required. This formalisation is essential for enabling secure delivery of premium content and meeting the requirements of broadcasters, platform operators, rights holders, and content owners, ensuring a compelling experience for viewers.

WebAssembly support, already present to some extent in HbbTV devices via browser engines such as Chrome or WebKit, is now formally included in the specification. This allows advanced features such as efficient decoding of auxiliary video streams, including sign language services demonstrated by Catalan public broadcaster 3Cat at trade shows IBC 2025 and HbbTV Symposium and Awards 2025. Additional web security measures have been incorporated, and support for the VVC and AV1 video codecs has been defined, although implementation of these codecs is optional. Several simplifications for implementers have also been introduced: unused features have been removed, others marked for deprecation, and some requirements relaxed to improve interoperability.

The integration between HbbTV and DVB-I introduced in HbbTV 2.0.4 is further improved in 2.0.5. The specification now clarifies how DVB-I applications associated with entire service lists can be supported, enabling platforms or service aggregators to obtain GDPR consent or agreement to terms and conditions. Implementation feedback, particularly regarding HbbTV and DVB-I integration, has resulted in numerous technical corrections being included.

The HbbTV Association plans to issue a Request for Proposals (RfP) in the coming weeks to extend its Conformance Test Suite to support HbbTV 2.0.5.

“HbbTV 2.0.5 represents an important step forward in the evolution of hybrid TV services,” said Vincent Grivet, Chair of the HbbTV Association. “With formalised DRM, support for next-generation codecs such as AV1 and VVC, enhanced DVB-I integration, and WebAssembly capabilities, the specification aligns to the most recent and impacting market trends, enabling more sophisticated, secure and feature-rich services. It demonstrates HbbTV’s continued commitment to advancing the connected TV ecosystem for broadcasters, platform operators, content owners and viewers alike.”

The HbbTV 2.0.5 specification and an associated explainer document are now available in the HbbTV Resource Library.

HbbTV enables secure content delivery with new DRM specification

Posted on by Matthew Huntington

The HbbTV Association has announced a new specification for the integration of Digital Rights Management (DRM) in HbbTV implementations and services.

The specification, which was approved at the latest meeting of the HbbTV Steering Group, marks a significant step forward in enabling widespread secure delivery of premium content via HbbTV-based services. The new specification formalises the predictable and reliable use of DRM in HbbTV services, especially for applications approaching the complexity and content protection demands of Video-on-Demand (VOD) platforms.

While HbbTV has been used with DRM for many years, the HbbTV/DRM integration has previously been on an ad-hoc basis, led separately by a number of countries or markets with other countries or markets relying on the efforts of the leaders. There was no harmonised approach to benefit the entire ecosystem. With the growing importance of premium content and content owners’ requirements for their content to be secured, the need for a fully specified, interoperable DRM integration at the core of the HbbTV standard has become increasingly important.

“Over the past few years, we have observed that advanced HbbTV services often ran into technical challenges due to incomplete integration between HbbTV and DRM, even though most connected TVs already supported DRM at the device level,” said Vincent Grivet, Chair of the HbbTV Association. “This new specification provides predictability and reliability for the proper functioning of HbbTV applications in association with DRM, enabling our ecosystem to meet growing usage and more sophisticated HbbTV applications delivering advanced TV services.”

The newly approved specification formalises the integration of widely used DRM systems, specifically Microsoft PlayReady and Google Widevine, into the HbbTV framework. It builds on the experience gathered with HbbTV’s DASH-DRM Reference Application, which has already been adopted by many broadcasters and platform operators as a de facto standard for initial DRM implementation.

To support manufacturers and application developers, HbbTV is collaborating with leading hybrid TV platforms including tivù in Italy and Everyone TV in the UK as well as Google. These partnerships aim to integrate previous national-level or private DRM unit tests into the HbbTV Conformance Test Suite, ensuring seamless and consistent implementation across devices and markets.

The specification is available on the HbbTV website and is expected to be adopted by broadcasters, platform operators and hardware manufacturers in upcoming product cycles.

Update on HbbTV specifications and related activities

Posted on by Matthew Huntington

To keep aligned with industry needs and web technology trends, the HbbTV specification continues to evolve. This article is a summary of the recent and upcoming advancements in HbbTV specifications and related activities.

HbbTV 2.0.4: Key updates

The HbbTV 2.0.4 specification, published by HbbTV in March 2023 and by ETSI in September 2023, lays the foundation for the next wave of product innovation. The incorporation of 2.0.4 test cases in the 2024-1 and 2024-2 HbbTV test suite releases (the latter released in August 2024), has paved the way for HbbTV 2.0.4 compatible products in 2025. 

Key features

Key feature of HbbTV 2.0.4 include:

  • Accessibility Integration: As the European Accessibility Act becomes law in 2025, accessibility is becoming more of a focus. While HbbTV does not mandate specific accessibility features, this integration is structured to accommodate external regulatory requirements.
  • DVB-I Compatibility: Enables “red button” broadcast-related apps in a DVB-I DASH delivered channel.
  • Voice Assistant Support: Voice interaction improvements address the need for seamless app control without requiring users to change from voice to remove control when an HbbTV application is started.  
  • Feature Deprecation: While certain less-used functionalities are marked for future removal, they remain part of 2.0.4 for now to allow for smooth transitions.

For more details see the HbbTV 2.0.4 article on developer portal.

HbbTV 2.0.5: A glimpse ahead

The upcoming HbbTV 2.0.5 specification is set for release in 2025, targeting possible implementation in products in 2026 or 2027. It introduces major enhancements and addresses feedback from implementers and test developers on previous releases. 

Highlights

Key enhancements include:

  • WebAssembly (WASM): Demonstrated at IBC by 3CAT, WASM enables advanced use cases like software video decoding. While already widely available, formally specifying this feature ensures consistent performance and usability.
  • New Video Codecs: Optional support for AV1 and VVC codecs, with AV1 already functional in some current TVs.  
  • HTTP/3 Support: Enabling the integration of HTTP/3 and QUIC for improved streaming efficiency.  
  • Streamlining Features: Unused or historical features are being retired, such as multi-stream synchronization between broadcast video and OTT audio.  

Digital Rights Management (DRM) guidelines

Historically, HbbTV avoided addressing DRM, leading to fragmented solutions. To counter this, the HbbTV Association has:  

  • Developed a DASH-DRM reference app, consolidating market insights on DRM system compatibility.  
  • Introduced a comprehensive DRM integration document covering PlayReady, Widevine, and criteria for adding new systems.  
  • Defined guidelines for content providers, platforms, and operators to streamline DRM implementations.  

HbbTV 2.0.5 will require support for at least one DRM system specified in the guidelines, ensuring consistency and compatibility across devices.  

Country-specific tests and harmonization 

Several countries, such as Italy and the UK, developed their own HbbTV test extensions, particularly for DRM. Recent reviews have highlighted opportunities for consolidating these tests into the main HbbTV suite. HbbTV aims to include these extensions in the 2025-2 test suite release, making things simpler for implementers by reducing the need for country-specific test suites.  

Looking ahead

The HbbTV Association’s ongoing commitment to accessibility, integration, and innovation ensures its relevance in a rapidly evolving media landscape. By aligning with industry needs and regulatory frameworks, HbbTV is positioned to support broadcasters, content providers, and device manufacturers well into the future.  

Jon Piesing
Vice Chair of HbbTV Association and Chair of Specification Group

Submissions open for updates to the HbbTV specs

Posted on by Matthew Huntington

The HbbTV Requirements Group runs a requirements capture cycle for HbbTV approximately once a year in order to consider potential updates to HbbTV specifications.  The Requirements Group is calling for input from all HbbTV members regarding potential new features for inclusion in the core HbbTV specification aimed at products entering the market in 2026 or 2027. As part of this process, the Requirements Group will also consider proposals for the deprecation or removal of features from the specification, as well as proposals that relate to other HbbTV specifications.

For both additions and deprecations, we have prepared templates that we would like to ask members to fill in. The simplest way to submit proposals is via the Requirements area of the HbbTV redmine system. Anyone who is unable to access that system can also make submissions by filling in a feature addition template or feature deprecation template and sending it to the Requirements Group Co-Chair, Chris Poole.

You’ll note that there is a focus on feature additions that provide user benefits, and for which HbbTV has the appropriate expertise to implement. HbbTV’s ecosystem includes the core specification, independent specifications such as targeted advertising and operator applications, test assertions, a test suite, reference applications and developer portal, and the requirements process is designed to capture as much information as possible on how the proposals would affect these.

The deadline for submissions is 10th March 2025, but members are encouraged to submit proposals earlier if they can.

After submission, proposals will be discussed and refined in the Requirements Group before being put to a vote to assess the level of cross value chain support. All HbbTV member companies are encouraged to participate in the Requirements Group meetings to be part of these discussions. The Steering Group will ultimately decide whether to turn the requirements into a new specification release.

Chris Poole
Co-Chair, HbbTV Requirements Group

HbbTV updates Operator Application specification

Posted on by jorn@hbbtv

Geneva, November 24, 2023 – The HbbTV Association is pleased to announce the release of an updated version of the HbbTV Operator Application specification.

When there is agreement between a platform operator and smart TV manufacturer, the HbbTV OpApp acts like a virtual set-top box inside the smart TV set, enabling operators to provide a branded, uniform user interface across different manufacturers. When switching the TV set on, it appears in the operator’s ‘look and feel’, ensuring a compelling user experience with the full range of services.

The new version improves support for operator applications to render IP-delivered linear channels, including enabling regular HbbTV interactive (“red button”) applications to appear alongside IP-delivered linear channels and operator-managed user interface elements. It allows for a consistent and seamless viewer experience across broadcast and IP-delivered linear channels.

The updated specification also allows an operator application to manage the streaming and presentation of a collection of IP-delivered linear channels discovered from a DVB-I service list or equivalent, enabling consistent flexible streaming approaches and fast channel change times.

A key driver behind many of these new features are the requirements of UK broadcasters and manufacturers of TV receivers who together will be launching the new Freely hybrid TV platform in the UK in 2024, underlining the relevance of the updated specification for market players. Freely is likely to be the first application using the new version.

The updated specification also includes improvements identified during the development and rollout of operator applications in Germany where they have been commercially deployed since March 2019.

More details on the HbbTV OpApp are offered in two webinars hosted by the HbbTV Association:

HbbTV OpApp – Best practice report by HD+ with HD Plus and SES (July 2020): Watch the recording on YouTube. Further details are available here.

OpApp as a virtual set-top box – Less work and more power than you think with Panasonic, Zattoo and TNO (March 2021): Watch the recording on YouTube. Further details are available here.

HbbTV releases new version of core specification

Posted on by jorn@hbbtv

Geneva, March 14, 2023 – The HbbTV Association is pleased to announce the publication of version 2.0.4 of its core specification.

The three main highlights of the new version are the integration with voice assistants, with accessibility features, (e.g. dialogue enhancement or user interface magnification), and with the new DVB-I standard, enabling HbbTV ‘red button’ applications to be used with live/linear TV services received as a DVB-I stream via broadband networks. Their availability depends on the TV set or set-top box supporting the underlying feature.

There are also a number of smaller enhancements and fixes to errors found in previous versions of the HbbTV specification. A full list of the new features and changes can be found in the HbbTV 2.0.4 “explainer” in the resources library on the HbbTV website.

“This new version of the HbbTV core specification represents a huge amount of work by our members over the last 18 months. With this new milestone, the key global and European stakeholders of the TV world have evidenced their commitment to make sure HbbTV is always and fully up to the challenges of bringing a compelling TV experience to viewers,” said Vincent Grivet, Chairman of the HbbTV Association.

Jon Piesing, HbbTV Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Specification Group which spearheaded the specification development process, added: “We are excited about the opportunities HbbTV 2.0.4 creates to improve the experiences for users of HbbTV applications and services. Integration with voice assistants is significant as voice input becomes more widely used in user interfaces of TV sets and other home devices. Accessibility features are an essential addition in the context of the European Accessibility Act. Integration with DVB-I is important as the distribution of live/linear programming via IP streams to TV sets becomes more widespread in the future.”

The HbbTV Association will shortly be issuing a Request for Proposals for the development of unit tests for the new features. While some of them may be reviewed and approved in time to be included in HbbTV’s July 2023 Conformance Test Suite release, most should be ready to be included in the February/March 2024 Test Suite release.

The HbbTV Association invites users of its specifications to provide feedback at any time. Please contact us by email at communications@hbbtv.org.

While such casual and direct input from specification users is welcomed by the HbbTV Association, market players using HbbTV are advised that the best way to influence and contribute to the HbbTV specification is by becoming a member and participating in the working group activities such as the Requirements Group which captures future requirements and the Specification Group where the specifications are generated based on those requirements. Information on membership and a list of all members can be found here.

Note: Improving accessibility through HbbTV-based solutions was the focus of a webinar hosted by the HbbTV Association in September 2021. The session features use case examples from several European markets, a look at the EBU guideline for accessibility services with HbbTV and future improvements. A recording of the 60-minute webinar and the presentations held by the speakers are available here.

HbbTV releases Targeted Advertising solution for TV sets in set-top box markets

Posted on by domagoj@hbbtv

Geneva, July 20, 2021 – The HbbTV Association is pleased to announce the publication of the second phase of its solution for Targeted Advertising (TA). This enables substitution of broadcast adverts with targeted adverts in situations where the broadcast TV signal is received by a set-top box (STB) and passed to the HbbTV TV set via a connection such as HDMI.

The HbbTV Application Discovery Over Broadband (ADB) specification already defines how broadcasters can add signalling to video and audio which survives the HDMI connection and can be used by a TV set to launch an HbbTV app. This specification has now been updated to enable broadcaster apps to use the HbbTV TA API to schedule a precise switch from HDMI to an advert and back again when the TV set is connected via a STB.

The combination of ADB and TA will enable broadcasters to reach more of their audience with targeted advertising, and also to offer targeted inventories to advertisers in a homogeneous manner – two aspects which are very important to preserve revenues and realise new growth opportunities in the face of competition from other advertising categories and chiefly from the native digital inventories such as web and mobile.

HbbTV’s work on Targeted Advertising has been done in cooperation with the DVB Project. DVB developed the original requirements and their own related specifications for signalling when broadcast adverts can be replaced. Both HbbTV ADB and DVB TA employ the ATSC 3.0 video and audio watermark solutions to enable signalling to survive carriage over an HDMI connection.

“The release of the TA solution for STB markets is a perfect example of how HbbTV adjusts its specifications to the needs of industry players, enabling them to adjust to real market circumstances and grow their business through new revenue sources,” said Vincent Grivet, Chair of the HbbTV Association.

HbbTV Association publishes new release of the HbbTV specification

Posted on by domagoj@hbbtv

Geneva, October 27, 2020 – The HbbTV Association has completed work on an update to its core specification (HbbTV 2.0.3).

For the first time, and based on the experience garnered through millions of receivers and hundreds of services worldwide, HbbTV has removed some features and is announcing the intention to remove others in the future. For example, never used parts of the media synchronisation, companion screen and CI Plus features have been removed as has been support for teletext subtitles in OTT content. A full list of the features concerned can be found in the HbbTV 2.0.3 explainer on the HbbTV website.

Some existing HbbTV features will be updated in line with the changes in the market place. The web standards included in HbbTV 2 will be updated from the original selection that was defined in 2013. Support for W3C Media Source extensions will be added. The MPEG DASH support will be extended to include CMAF. It is believed that many recent HbbTV devices already support these. Also relating to MPEG DASH, applications will be able to query if an implementation supports the ‘cbcs’ encryption mode originally used by Apple, but now becoming widespread in many DRM systems.

“The HbbTV specification is now a mature specification, as it is now used to a large scale in many commercial real-life situations,” said Vincent Grivet, Chairman of the HbbTV Association. “With this maturity of deployment, the market has a better view of what is really important and what is not so important in the end. Keeping the specification ‘lean’ and focused on the important things is key to make it implementable in a reasonable manner by manufacturers and other market players. This does not mean that the specification is frozen or does not meet new use cases, as demonstrated for instance with our recently published Application Discovery over Broadband phase 2 (ADB2) and Targeted Advertising (HbbTV-TA) additions.”

Commenting on the new release, Jon Piesing, HbbTV Vice-Chairman and Chairman of the Specification Group who spearheaded the specification development process, said: “Over the years, our core HbbTV 2 specification has accumulated a number of things that have never been used or which have been superseded. It’s now time to ‘spring clean’ our specification. Some things that we believe are not used will be removed in this update. Where things are used but superseded, we will send a clear message to the users of our specification that they need to plan a transition. While HbbTV does not aim at moving as fast as the web, equally it cannot keep adding technologies and features indefinitely without removing anything.”

The HbbTV Association welcomes feedback from users of its specifications at any time. Feedback is particularly invited if anyone is using – or has serious plans to use – an element to be removed in HbbTV 2.0.3. Email contact: communications@hbbtv.org

While such casual and direct input from specification users is welcomed by the HbbTV Association, market players using HbbTV are advised that the best way to influence and contribute to the HbbTV specification is by becoming a member and participating in the working group activities such as the Requirements Specification Group which discusses the requirements capture and the Specification Working Group where the specifications are generated.

The HbbTV Association aims to support version 2.0.3 in the July 2021 release of its Test Suite – the release aimed at products entering the market in 2022.