Deutsche TV-Plattform, the German industry alliances for broadcast and media technology, is celebrating its 35th anniversary.
Established on 2 November 1990 by 19 industry leaders at Frankfurt Airport as the “National HDTV Platform Germany”, the organisation has since evolved into a central forum for cooperation and innovation across the country’s television and streaming ecosystem.
Today, the association brings together more than 50 companies and institutions – from public and commercial broadcasters to streaming services, device manufacturers, infrastructure providers, regulators, research institutes and universities. Its core mission remains the same: promoting the introduction of digital technologies based on open standards.
Over the past three and a half decades, Deutsche TV-Plattform has played a key role in shaping the technological development of television in Germany. Current focus areas include artificial intelligence, advertising technology (AdTech), car entertainment and DVB-I. The association is also actively addressing regulatory requirements such as those arising from the EU Accessibility Act, and is currently driving work in three major working groups: Media over IP, Smart Media and Ultra HD.
“Deutsche TV-Plattform is an indispensable forum for our industry. Nowhere else do so many players from the German-speaking TV and streaming markets come together – public and commercial broadcasters, network operators, solution providers, media platforms and device manufacturers. Together they are shaping the technologies of the future. In times of dynamic market change and shifting viewing habits towards streaming, this cross-industry collaboration is more important than ever,” said Nicole Agudo Berbel, Chair of the Board of Deutsche TV-Plattform.
Since its inception, the Deutsche TV-Plattform has accompanied and supported every major technological milestone in broadcasting, from PALplus and DVB-T to HDTV, DVB-T2 HD, Ultra HD-HDR and HbbTV. It has regularly published white papers, organised industry events and acted as a bridge between stakeholders to facilitate the transition from analogue to digital and, more recently, to hybrid and IP-based television.
Initially founded to coordinate the market introduction of HDTV under the analogue 1250/50 standard developed within the European Eureka 95 project, the organisation soon broadened its scope. By 1993, it had been renamed “Deutsche Plattform für HDTV und neue Fernsehsysteme”, shifting its focus to the digital transformation of television.
With 35 years of achievements behind it, Deutsche TV-Plattform continues to serve as a vital platform for collaboration, innovation and standardisation in Germany’s evolving media landscape.
