HbbTV

Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) is an open international standard for delivering enhanced television by combining traditional broadcast services with broadband Internet content. It enables interactive applications and services to run on connected TVs, set‑top boxes, and other hybrid devices by overlaying or linking broadcast streams with IP-based content such as on‑demand, catch‑up, and interactivity.

HbbTV was developed by a collaboration of broadcasters, manufacturers, and industry groups in Europe and is maintained by the HbbTV Association. The standard defines a common framework based on HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript for running interactive apps, along with mechanisms to synchronize broadcast and IP content. It encompasses both the software architecture of the user interface and the signaling used to launch and manage applications. Versions in use include the 1.x family, which established core concepts, and the 2.x family, which extends capabilities such as enhanced streaming, richer APIs, and better integration with IP-delivered services.

Technically, HbbTV apps are web-based and run in a built‑in browser environment on a smart TV or set‑top device. Apps can access program information, VOD catalogs, and streaming media, and they may display overlays or independent windows over the broadcast video. The standard supports both broadcast and IP delivery, including formats commonly used for streaming (such as MPEG‑DASH and HLS) and optional integration with digital rights management. It also accommodates DVB-I for cross‑provider content discovery and improved accessibility.

Adoption of HbbTV has been broad in Europe and adopted in other regions, with deployments in multiple markets to deliver interoperable hybrid TV experiences across devices and broadcasters.