German public broadcaster ARD is now offering its TV viewers the option of resetting the currently running programme to the beginning at the touch of a button.
The free replay TV function is available on all smart TVs and set-top boxes that are suitable for the HbbTV 2.0.1 standard and are connected to the internet. This is usually the case for devices available on the market since 2019. On older models the function is not displayed in the HbbTV taskbar.
By pressing the blue button on the remote control, immediately after switching to a channel or alternatively via the HbbTV taskbar, viewers can reset the currently running programme to the beginning. There is, thus, no more waiting time until the programmes become available on the catch-up service.
Nearly all ARD channels are offering replay TV, including Das Erste, ONE, ARD-alpha, BR Fernsehen, hr-fernsehen, MDR Fernsehen, rbb Fernsehen, SR Fernsehen, SWR Fernsehen and WDR Fernsehen.
The replay TV function, developed by ARD Play-Out Center Potsdam, is available via cable, satellite and DVB-T2.