Commercial HbbTV services are now up and running in the Czech Republic, with viewers being offered the music-based channel Ocko and Ocko Gold.
In a statement, the national transmission company Ceske Radiokomunikace (CRa) says that pilot broadcasts of the two channels have been launched by itself in collaboration with a company named Mautilus on the third multiplex, adding that they plan to develop additional functionalities such as QR codes.
According to Michal Cupa, CRa’s CEO, “With the launch of hybrid TV we fulfill our promises to terrestrial broadcasting to continuously develop and expand the range of services. Hybrid TV for broadcasters is one of the ways to gain new revenue and offer the viewer a new modern service.”
Stepan Wolde, CEO of Ocko, added: “I am pleased that we are part of the project to launch the first commercial hybrid TV in the Czech Republic and Ocko viewers can now use the service , which is common in many European countries”.
