December 18, 2023

HbbTV Symposium and Awards 2023: DVB-I and TA drive new HbbTV services

Naples, December 18, 2023 – DVB-I, the new specification combining broadcast and IP-delivered channels and services, and Targeted Advertising (TA) are increasing the relevance of HbbTV to broadcasters and platform operators, driving next-generation applications and revenue sources. The open HbbTV standard is key to avoid fragmentation in the TA market as the HbbTV-TA specification provides a universal solution to broadcasters and the advertising industry working on smart TVs across different manufacturers. Testing of applications, including new remote testing facilities, remains important to ensure a smooth and compelling viewing experience.

These are key conclusions from the 11th HbbTV Symposium and Awards in Naples on November 28 and 29, 2023, co-hosted by the HbbTV Association and Italian digital TV association Comunicare Digitale. With more than 220 registered participants from Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, the event was one of the most attended in its 12-year history, reflecting the significance of HbbTV in the connected TV industry.

The keynotes, panel presentations and roundtables provided updates on market figures, deployments and specification developments, with speakers discussing new services, industry trends and challenges. The second day saw the debut of the HbbTV unconference. The participants built the agenda by pitching sessions on topics they are most interested in, actively shaping and driving the discussions and conclusions.

The HbbTV Symposium 2023 also hosted the 6th edition of the HbbTV Awards, celebrating and rewarding excellence and best practice in the HbbTV community across five categories. The list of the winners of the HbbTV Awards 2023 with pictures from the Awards ceremony can be found here.

“This was another great Symposium! I have been impressed how HbbTV, especially when it comes to OpApp, DVB-I or Targeted Advertising features, is now completely central in the core distribution strategy of major broadcasters across Europe, both in the large historic markets like the UK, Germany, Italy and Spain and also across a variety of newer countries,” said HbbTV Chairman Vincent Grivet (pictured).

“The Symposium in Naples was a great opportunity to meet the main stakeholders and the European industry, creating a formidable event to move towards the market needs. We are grateful to the sponsors and HbbTV members for making this occasion historic,” added Andrea M. Michelozzi, President of Comunicare Digitale.

For industry executives unable to travel to Naples, the HbbTV Symposium conference was streamed live. The recording is available here. The presentations, event brochure, picture gallery and further event details are available on the Symposium website.

The 12th HbbTV Symposium and Awards will take place in London, UK in November 2024, co-hosted by the HbbTV Association and Everyone TV (BBC/ITV/Channel 4/Channel 5).