Norwegian public broadcaster NRK will focus its interactive and on-demand services on the HbbTV 1.5 standard, but is also bringing its services to a number of connected platforms.
“HbbTV is our prefered platform for future services. Meanwhile we are deploying some SVOD apps on manufacturer specified platforms to satisfy our viewers demand on a short-term,” according to Bjarne Andre Myklebust, head of IP distribution at NRK.
The news comes after the announcement that NRK has launched on Apple TV and will unveil a number of connected devices app during this year’s IFA in Berlin.
“HbbTV needs some more time and work until we can fully migrate our services to the standard,” Myklebust explained,
“Looking forward we have announced the we will support the 1.5 specification when we get there. There are still some issues that are a little uncertain like delivery of VOD content in MPEG-DASH which is a part of the 1.5 standard. Since Norway are a «set-top-box» heavy marked we are in talks with major TV distribution company about the possibly to integrate HbbTV support on their boxes.
“Hopefully we will start testing and piloting later this year and the work will continue in 2015. We have just started working on this project and not set a date for launch. Public broadcasters in Sweden (SVT) and Denmark also follow the HbbTV track with DR already launched.”
