DVB-I initiative launched

The Terms of Reference for the new DVB CM-I group for DVB-I (for Internet) were agreed at the recent 80th DVB Commercial Module meeting. The group is tasked with delivering Commercial Requirements for standalone linear TV services over broadband internet. CM-I is chaired by Thomas Stockhammer (Qualcomm Technologies, Inc.; pictured above) with Peter Lanigan (TP Vision) as vice-chair. The new group will be introduced in a presentation at DVB World 2018 in Warsaw next week.

Linear TV via open internet

Following the trend towards accessing and consuming TV services over the open internet, the initial focus of CM-I will address the collection of relevant commercial and technical requirements to provide a user perception of a linear TV channel that can be discovered and consumed over the open internet with regular TV equipment and user interfaces. This is an important new work item for DVB, identifying additional needs to distribute linear TV channel experiences not only over dedicated access networks such as DVB-S/C/T or IPTV, but also to provide such experiences in modern IP-based delivery infrastructures without any perceptible differences to the end user. The aim will be to maximize commonalities with existing DVB specifications. 

DVB Chairman Peter MacAvock, commenting on the new work, said: “With hybrid services, OTT and online distribution growing in importance, DVB is applying its expertise and know-how in this all-important domain. DVB-I will complement the current DVB standards that form the basis of the way consumers watch TV today.” 

“Join us in our efforts”

Group chairman Thomas Stockhammer said: “DVB-I is expected to provide internet TV enablers for the highest quality DVB TV experiences across different consumption devices, from traditional big screen TVs to non-traditional devices such as phones, tablets, and laptops. We envisage harmonising internet TV experiences with consistent specifications and hence, provide long-term confidence to consumers and the ecosystem. It feels now is the right time and DVB is in the right place – join us in our efforts.” 

Fundamentally, the adoption of DVB-I technologies is expected to provide the enhancement of DVB services across different access networks, including DVB services on devices with multiple connections. Coordination with other organisations, such as HbbTV, regional receiver specifications, W3C or 3GPP are envisaged, to create a horizontal framework for TV services that addresses the evolving viewing and consumption habits of millennials.

It is expected that DVB-I will be the home of additional internet TV-centric commercial and technical discussions with additional use cases, commercial requirements, and technical specifications. In the long term, the CM-I group is also responsible for developing the vision and strategies that will enable business opportunities in the context of internet-based distribution of TV services beyond the initial traditional use cases.