Ceske Televize (CT) has released more details of the development its interactive TV environment using the HbbTV standard.
The broadcaster’s online archive iVysílani, which gives access to more than 70,000 hours, representing eight years, of video content is now also available through smart TVs.
It is a further phase of a pilot project of Czech TV HbbTV that was launched in May 2012. The public broadcaster is asking viewers for feedback that will be used for future planned development.
“Modern audiences love to use ivysilani (ivysilani.cz) on desktops, tablets or mobiles, we have already 17 mobile apps. Now we are trying to bring this huge archive also to their living rooms and onto big TV screens. If they miss something, they can find their favorite show later. It only takes a few seconds with a remote control to get the menu, directly from one of our programmes. Then they can watch it in a quality and comfort they have during classical TV experience,” explained Pavlina Kvapilova, Czech TV New Media Division executive director.
Czech TV introduced its first HbbTV applications more than one year ago, offering Superteletext apps for the Ice Hockey World Championship, Euro 2012, and the London Olympic Games. New features have been added to the EPG that now allows audiences to go backwards to find video of a show they might have missed.
Audiences are brought automatically to the iVysilani app, where they can watch a selected item.
“Czech consumers have more and more choice of Smart TVs with HbbTV function on the market. Thanks to Czech TV pilot project a wide spectrum of producers have joined to offer this function. Detailed information can be found on a special microsite www.ceskatelevize.cz/hbbtv. During the last month more than 90,000 devices have accessed Czech TV HbbTV according to Google Analytics data,” according to Alžbeta Plívová, spokesperson of Czech TV.
“Czech TV believes in the future of HbbTV because of the simple user experience connected with its programmes. Also the traditional teletext service is still very popular in the Czech Republic.”
HbbTV tests are available on all Czech TV channels (CT1, CT2, CT24 and CT sport), both via digital terrestrial platform and satellite distribution.
