Geneva, 1 December 2011 – More than 20 EBU Members* have agreed to collaborate to unlock the full potential of Hybrid TV for a European rollout of the technology in 2012. The announcement came as the EBU opened its 67th General Assembly today, at the EBU headquarters, in Geneva.

'Hybrid' or 'Connected TV' combines traditional viewing with the added value of the internet and smart device applications for an enhanced media experience.

This group of public service broadcasters will exchange best practices and support one another to push through a fast, comprehensive rollout of hybrid television services by EBU Members in 2012.

Underpinning the cooperation is the shared conviction that only high quality, creative content can breathe life into the promise of hybrid technology, and only a flexible, cross-border approach will create the necessary impetus.

In signing up to the Hybrid TV project, these EBU Members make a commitment both to open standards, like HbbTV, MHP and MHEG5, and to delivering a compelling new experience to their audiences.

The EBU will host a Creative Content Workshop on 3 February 2012 to enable all EBU Members to share experiences and ideas for hybrid applications. A new "interactive group" of creative experts from EBU Member organizations will oversee the sustainable exchange of best practice and innovation in the hybrid sphere.

For the programme and registration click here.

*Participating EBU Members are ARMTV (Armenia); ORF (Austria); RTBF (Belgium); HRT (Croatia); CyBC (Cyprus); Czech TV (Czech Republic); DR (Denmark); YLE (Finland); France Télévisions (France); ARD and ZDF (Germany); MTV Magyar Radio (Hungary); RTE (Ireland); RAI (Italy); RTCG (Montenegro); NPO (Netherlands); NRK (Norway); TVP (Poland); TVR (Romania); Rozhlas (Slovakia); RTVSLO (Slovenia); RTVE (Spain); TRT (Turkey); NTU (Ukraine).
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Note to editors:
On April 15, 2011, the EBU adopted its "Principles for Internet Connected and Hybrid Television" which, if applied, could deliver lower costs, greater choice and a better viewing experience for consumers. These principles called on all stakeholders to support and respect the principles.

Click here to see the full text of Principles for Internet-Connected and Hybrid Television

For more information on Hybrid Broadcasting see: EBU Viewpoint "The Future is Hybrid"

About the EBU:
* The EBU serves 85 national media organizations in 56 countries in and around Europe. It represents its Members and promotes the values and distinctiveness of public service media in Europe and around the world. The Eurovision and Euroradio networks deliver news, sports, events and music to EBU Members and other media organizations. Services to Members range from legal advice, technical standardization and development to coproduction and exchange of quality European content. For more information about the EBU: www.ebu.ch