Czech Television (CT) has made 70,000 hours of content available online to smart TVs via the HbbTV® platform, bringing the EBU’s Czech Member into the second phase of a pilot project launched in May 2012.

CT viewers can already access the archive, called iVysílani, via desktop, tablet or smartphone, but CT wanted to make it available on television to ensure the content can be experienced in the full comfort of the home.

Czech TV’s New Media Division Executive Director Pavlina Kvapilova said: “Modern audiences love to use iVysilani. If they miss something, they can find their favourite show later. It only takes a few seconds with a remote control to get the menu, directly from one of our programmes.”

CT launched its first HbbTV® (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) applications more than a year ago with Superteletext and apps for the Ice Hockey World Championship, UEFA EURO 2012™, the London Olympic Games and an electronic programme guide (EPG). But the new TV Programme app features search-and-watch catch-up TV and video-on-demand (VoD).

Consumers in the Czech Republic have access to a growing range of smart TVs with HbbTV functionality. CT reports that this project has encouraged more consumer electronics manufacturers to apply the standard in their products, and that 90,000 individual devices accessed the Czech service in June.

The HbbTV® standard brings users an enriched, interactive experience by combining broadcast and broadband. It is an open universal solution available to all TV manufacturers, and which is supported by the EBU and many of its Members.

An interdisciplinary EBU group, chaired by Hans-Martin Schmidt of German broadcaster ARD, provides support for Members launching hybrid TV services. It deals with issues relating to the applications themselves, regulatory matters and other technical challenges. (https://tech.ebu.ch/groups/hbb)