France’s TF1 has yet to decide on a launch date for its digital brand on HbbTV, with it being dependent on agreements with ISPs.
The news was given to Broadband TV News by Olivier Abecassis, COO at e-TF1 and general manager at WAT, who denied earlier reports that the launch would take place this September.
Speaking earlier this week at IP&TV World Forum, Sylvian Audigier, director networks, innovation and new technologies at TF1, said that the main priority for 2011/12 has been to deliver the brand on all screens. . Having started on IPTV, tablets and OTT, it will be available on Android devices in a few days time and on the Xbox from May.
Commenting on HbbTV, Audigier said that TFI had launched a portal though the service was still at the trial stage, with the broadcaster working on the certification process and adding DRM in order to distribute its VOD service.
He also said that TFI was concerned about the protection of its content on connected TVs and are “asking others not to add anything to our signal.”
