Introduction of New TV Standard DVB-I Approaches

The launch of the new TV standard DVB-I (Digital Video Broadcasting - Internet) is becoming increasingly imminent in Germany. Public and private broadcasters, along with associations and regulatory bodies, are collaborating to establish the necessary framework for its implementation.

Since the formation of a round table in 2024, various working groups have been diligently addressing essential questions regarding the potential DVB-I offerings in the country, as confirmed by participants such as the German Electrical and Electronics Manufacturers' Association (ZVEI). Key discussions have revolved around product requirements, the organization and management of a unified service list, and ensuring non-discriminatory access for content providers.

DVB-I represents an open standard designed for transmitting audio and video services via Internet Protocol (IP). This innovation aims to enable viewers to seamlessly locate and watch television content, regardless of whether it is delivered through terrestrial signals, satellite, cable, or broadband networks like VDSL, fiber optics, and 5G. The standard allows for the integration of programs from these various distribution methods into a single TV device, facilitating a straightforward and cohesive viewing experience of linear television alongside IP streaming without the need to launch separate applications.

Content will be accessible across virtually all devices, including smartphones, tablets, laptops, and televisions, all converging under a single DVB-I client interface. This standard merges traditional linear broadcasting with the flexible on-demand features of streaming and video-on-demand services. Viewers will continue to enjoy direct access to TV content through a familiar interface, enhanced by additional services, an improved electronic program guide (EPG), and a smooth transition to non-linear offerings from broadcasters and other platforms such as YouTube.

The new standard builds upon the existing Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) framework, which already integrates broadcast and broadband services on a single screen. With DVB-I, compatible devices will be able to directly adapt transmitted data to their displays. This advancement aims to eliminate the issues of varying interfaces and applications.

Thorsten Schmiege, the president of the Bavarian Regulatory Authority for New Media (BLM), emphasized that DVB-I will significantly enhance the convergence of streaming and traditional television. As the coordinator of the innovation and infrastructure committee of the Conference of State Media Authorities (DLM), he is overseeing the test phases for the standard's launch with all involved parties at the round table. According to Schmiege, DVB-I combines the discoverability of broadcast content, user-friendliness, and efficient resource utilization, prompting media regulators to advocate for the necessary regulatory framework.

Key stakeholders in this initiative include ARD, ZDF, ProSiebenSat.1, RTL, the Federal Network Agency, and the industry association Vaunet, alongside ZVEI and DLM. Current discussions in the working groups focus on certifying receiving devices and developing a project plan leading up to the market introduction of DVB-I. Concurrently, a task force established by the German TV platform is working on a technical implementation profile for televisions and other devices. A pilot project initiated in September 2022, involving 19 organizations, has successfully tested solutions related to digital rights management (DRM), subscription service business models, and technical implementations.

While the precise timeline for the rollout of DVB-I in Germany remains uncertain, the groundwork is being laid for a new era of television.