HybridTV

HybridTV is a term used to describe television systems that combine broadcast delivery with broadband internet to provide an enhanced viewing experience on the television screen. In a HybridTV setup, a conventional broadcast signal (such as DVB) carries linear TV channels, while a connected TV or set-top box uses the internet to deliver on-demand video, apps, search, and additional information. The goal is to merge the reliability of broadcast with the flexibility and interactivity of online services, allowing users to switch between live programming and internet-enabled content without leaving the TV interface.

The most widely adopted implementation is the Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) standard. Developed by the HbbTV Association and standardized by ETSI, HbbTV defines an application framework that runs on HTML5-based apps within the television environment. Apps can appear as an enhanced EPG, integrate catch-up and start-over TV, provide on-demand video, weather, social feeds, and targeted services, and may use broadcast metadata in combination with web content.

Adoption varies by region, with extensive deployments in Europe and growing use in other regions. Support is typically built into modern smart TVs and set-top boxes, enabling operators and content providers to deliver hybrid services via a single remote control. While the concept of HybridTV is broader and may include other regional equivalents like Hybridcast in Japan, HbbTV remains the most common standard for interoperable hybrid TV experiences.