German technical service provider Media Broadcast wants to add new TV channels, subscription offerings and video-on-demand (VOD) services to its HbbTV-based TV companion service multithek.
The latest new TV channels are QVC, Spiegel TV and DAF, Sven Eckoldt, senior product manager at Media Broadcast, said at cable, satellite and broadband trade fair ANGA COM 2014 in Cologne.
Japanese international channel NHK has also been added – initially only in Berlin, but soon nationwide. Home-shopping channel QVC will shortly gain a “buy” button through which the presented products can be ordered, said Eckoldt.
In total 15 TV channels are now part of multithek which Media Broadcast distributes nationwide via satellite on Astra (19.2° East) as well as via DTT in 13 metropolitan areas. The channels are transmitted to the TV screens as OTT live-streams through the internet. For reception, a TV set or digital receiver is needed compliant with interactive multimedia standard HbbTV and connected to the internet.
The multithek app will in future be expanded by a live TV feature through which users can watch linear TV channels on their smartphone or tablet, according to Eckoldt.
Media Broadcast also wants to deploy payment solutions for providers wanting to offer subscription-based content and services through multithek. Payment is either via PayPal or via SMS through the mobile phone bill.
As part of its expansion, Media Broadcast also wants to take VOD services on board its multithek. The implementation will be in the shape of apps in the HbbTV 1.5 standard. Talks are currently underway with several VOD operators, said Eckoldt. The launch is planned for autumn.
In addition to DTT and satellite, multithek can in future also be deployed on cable networks. From the end of the year, Media Broadcast will offer the service to cable operators and city carriers as a white-label product which they can adjust to their own brand design.