The HbbTV Association has published version 2.0.5 of its core specification, formally integrating DRM support into the HbbTV standard for the first time.
Approved by the HbbTV Steering Group, HbbTV 2.0.5 is an incremental update to version 2.0.4, released two years ago, but introduces what the Association describes as a significant technical step forward for hybrid broadcast-broadband services.
The most notable development is the formal inclusion of Digital Rights Management within the core specification. While HbbTV devices have long supported DRM, this is the first time it has been explicitly defined at specification level, creating a harmonised and interoperable framework across the ecosystem.
Support for at least one DRM system listed in the HbbTV DRM specification published six months ago – either Microsoft PlayReady or Google Widevine – is now required. The move is designed to support the secure delivery of premium content and meet the requirements of broadcasters, platform operators and rights holders.
Vincent Grivet, Chair of the HbbTV Association, said the update aligns the standard with key market trends including formalised DRM, next-generation codecs and enhanced DVB-I integration, while reinforcing HbbTV’s role in the connected TV ecosystem. “With formalised DRM, support for next-generation codecs such as AV1 and VVC, enhanced DVB-I integration, and WebAssembly capabilities, the specification aligns to the most recent and impacting market trends, enabling more sophisticated, secure and feature-rich services. It demonstrates HbbTV’s continued commitment to advancing the connected TV ecosystem for broadcasters, platform operators, content owners and viewers alike.”
Although WebAssembly is already present in many HbbTV devices via browser engines such as Chrome or WebKit, its inclusion in the specification enables advanced use cases including efficient decoding of auxiliary video streams. This includes sign language services demonstrated by Catalan public broadcaster 3Cat at IBC 2025 and the HbbTV Symposium and Awards 2025.
The update defines support for the VVC and AV1 video codecs, although implementation remains optional. Additional web security measures have been introduced, while unused features have been removed, others marked for deprecation and some requirements relaxed to improve interoperability.
Integration between HbbTV and DVB-I, first introduced in version 2.0.4, has also been enhanced. The new specification clarifies support for DVB-I applications associated with entire service lists, enabling platforms or aggregators to obtain GDPR consent or agreement to terms and conditions. Technical corrections based on implementation feedback have also been included.
The Association said it plans to issue a Request for Proposals in the coming weeks to extend its Conformance Test Suite to cover HbbTV 2.0.5.
The HbbTV 2.0.5 specification and an accompanying explainer document are available via the HbbTV Resource Library.
