HD+, free-to-air high definition platform into the German market, has joined the FreeTV Alliance.
It has been expected that HD+ would have been alongside Fransat, Freesat and Tivùsat when the organisation was launched at IBC 2014, but HD+ pulled out at the last moment citing “unrelated matters”.
“HD+ is proud to be joining the FreeTV Alliance as we believe this will be a highly effective forum to contribute to the development of the free-to-air TV market,” said Georges Agnes, Managing Director at HD+.
The main goal of the FreeTV Alliance is to support the growth of free-to-view satellite TV services, by making it easier and more economical for manufacturers to develop innovative new products that deliver a superior customer viewing experience. The Alliance is producing a range of common recommendations and specifications based on open standards that will apply across set-top boxes and smart TVs. The first of these specifications will be launched later this year.
“We are very pleased to be able to confirm that HD+ is now joining the Alliance,” said Alberto Sigismondi, CEO of Tivùsat and the first Chair of the FreeTV Alliance. “The size of the German market demands that its views and values are represented and to have the HD+ team on-board will ensure that this happens.”
FreeTV Alliance members are now working together to establish preferred technologies and common specifications for multiscreen TV solutions as well as providing guidance to broadcasters and content providers deploying advanced hybrid TV services combining satellite reception and IP based interactivity.
