Jessica Glad

Persidera Partners with Icareus and Video Progetti to Bring Advanced HbbTV Solutions to Italian Broadcasters

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Helsinki, 15.08,2024:  Icareus, a leading provider of HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) solutions, has partnered with Persidera, the premier network operator in Italy, and Video Progetti, Italy’s #1 broadcast systems integrator, to bring state-of-the-art HbbTV-based services to broadcasters and publishers across the Italian market. This strategic collaboration aims to enhance the viewing experience for audiences and offer Persidera customers innovative tools to better engage their viewers.

The joint solution from Icareus, Video Progetti and Persidera leverages cutting-edge HbbTV technology, which seamlessly integrates broadcast and broadband content. This enables broadcasters to deliver a richer, more interactive experience to their audiences. This real-time access to viewing data allows operators and broadcasters to make informed decisions without the delay of waiting several days for panel-based metrics.

The offering includes a comprehensive suite of HbbTV applications and solutions, such as:

  • Audience Measurement: Accurate and real-time data collection to help broadcasters understand viewer behaviour and preferences, enabling more targeted and effective programming and advertising.
  • Electronic Program Guides (EPGs): Interactive and user-friendly program guides that make it easier for viewers to discover and access content.
  • Launchers: Customized launch interfaces that provide a gateway to various broadcast and on-demand services, offering viewers a personalized and streamlined content discovery experience.
  • Live Streaming: High-quality, uninterrupted live streaming capabilities, allowing broadcasters to reach their audiences on multiple devices, anytime and anywhere. In addition, niche audience and events can be served better via HbbTV channels instead of consuming broadcast capacity.
  • Radio: Integration of radio services within the HbbTV framework, offering users a one-stop solution for both visual and audio content.
  • HbbTV signalling: Persidera’s capability to provide advanced signalling to ensure accurate and versatile HbbTV application management as well as synchronization is guaranteed with Icareus Playout platform.

Central to the collaboration is the Icareus Video Cloud, a powerful OTT platform designed to manage and optimize the all the Live and on-demand video services including also tools e.g. for user experience (UX), Electronic Program Guides (EPGs), and HbbTV and other video applications. In this project it will empower broadcasters with:

  • User Experience (UX) Management: Tools to create and manage seamless, user-friendly interfaces that enhance viewer engagement and satisfaction. This allows broadcasters to design personalized experiences tailored to different audience segments.
  • EPG Management: A robust solution for managing EPGs, enabling broadcasters to effortlessly update program schedules and deliver real-time information to viewers. The Icareus Suite supports rich metadata and integrates seamlessly with other broadcast systems.
  • Application Management: A comprehensive platform for developing, deploying, and managing HbbTV applications, ensuring broadcasters can quickly and efficiently roll out new services and features. This includes the ability to launch and manage interactive applications such as quizzes, voting, and targeted advertising, enhancing viewer interaction.
"We are thrilled to introduce our advanced HbbTV solutions to the broader Italian market through this collaboration with Persidera and Video Progetti. By joining forces, we will equip broadcasters with the tools needed to thrive in an increasingly competitive media environment, while elevating the viewing experience for audiences across Italy."
Toni Leiponen
CEO, Icareus

Persidera, with its extensive network infrastructure and deep understanding of the Italian broadcasting market, is the ideal partner to bring these innovative solutions to life.

"By combining our network capabilities with Icareus' expertise in HbbTV, we are enabling broadcasters to offer more interactive and engaging content to their viewers. This partnership represents a significant step forward in the evolution of television in Italy."
Guido Fermetti
COO, Persidera
"We are excited to play a crucial role in this partnership, leveraging our experience in broadcasting technology to help deliver these advanced solutions to the Italian market with our integration and post-sales support services."
Francesco Struzzi
Sales Director, Video Progetti

The alliance between these companies underscores a shared commitment to innovation and excellence in broadcasting. Together, they are poised to set a new standard for HbbTV services in Italy, driving the future of television and offering broadcasters the tools to stay ahead in an ever-evolving industry.

Icareus Playout Platform has been in production since 2004 and is trusted by leading operators and broadcasters serving customers in 50 countries.  Icareus Playout product family includes Icareus Playout EP PSI/SI and EPG server, Icareus CS DSM-CC Carousel server for HbbTV and other Interactive TV standards, Icareus Playout DVB SSU server for over-the-air updates and Icareus Playout Compact Lab solution for research, development and testing TV services. For more information about solution visit: https://icareus.com/products/icareus-playout-broadcast-service-management-platform/  

Read more about the PSI/SI & EPG Generator: https://icareus.com/products/icareus-playout-broadcast-service-management-platform/epg-generator-server/

Read more about EPG monitoring: https://icareus.com/products/icareus-playout-broadcast-service-management-platform/epg-monitor/

Icareus Ltd is established 2001 and has a headquarters in Helsinki, Finland. Combining online and broadcast technologies have been the core of our activities over two decades, true pioneers some say. We’ve been making the change from linear TV to today’s multi-screen experience. Millions of consumers enjoy Icareus solutions via our broadcaster, operator, OTT and OVP customers in over 60 countries.

Icareus TV & Video Cloud and Icareus Playout, a trusted broadcast platform for EPG, Data carousels and OTA support solutions for HbbTV, OTT, TV Everywhere, Addressable TV advertising and Audience Measurement. More information: https://www.icareus.com

Persidera – Persidera is the leader in the Italian market of media services for independent publishers. 100% of the share capital is held by the sole shareholder F2i TLC 2 SpA. The Company’s core business is the provision of DTT Network Transmission Service, hosting more than 50 Radio/TV channels on its 3 national Networks which cover more than 96% of the national population. The channel management services broadcast on its Networks are provided through a proprietary Headend infrastructure, constantly maintained at the most advanced state of technology and with reliability standards at the top of the market. For more information, visit: https://persidera.it/.

Video Progetti S.r.l. is a leading Italian company which has been working for over 20 years in the distribution and integration of professional equipment for television, cinema and telecommunications. Having offices both in Rome and Milan, Video Progetti is constantly in touch with the key players in these fields and participates in the development of the broadcast industry by offering our clients the most up-to-date production technology. For more information, visit http://www.videoprogetti.it.

For more Information:  

Ms. Jessica Glad 
Marketing 
Icareus Ltd 

Email: [email protected] 
Telephone: +358 (0)9 2289 0801 

 

Follow Icareus on:  

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/icareus-ltd- 

 

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Mikko Karppinen

11 highlights of the 11th HbbTV Symposium 

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Discover the evolving world of television technology as we delve into the insights from the 11th HbbTV Symposium in Naples, Italy. From advancements in TV standards to innovations in addressable TV advertising, this post explores how these developments benefit TV viewers, enhancing their content discovery, user experience, and overall engagement. Join us in uncovering the practical advantages that these technological strides bring to the forefront of the television landscape. 

1

Broadcasters pushing direct to consumer business models 

The 11th HbbTV Symposium unfolded in Naples, Italy. In his opening remarks, Mr. Vincent Grivet set the tone by addressing a crucial industry trend: broadcasters are rapidly adopting both OTT delivery and direct-to-consumer models for big screens.  an example of FTA channels new way to reach consumers is Freely’s (https://www.everyonetv.co.uk/news/press-release/new-free-tv-service-via-ip) collaborative approach where they unite forces for a premium content offering. 

2

HbbTV Standard Advancements 

Moving on to advancements in the HbbTV standard, two new specifications are introduced: 2.0.4 and OppApp. Notably, the latter powers Freely’s success. Additionally, updates on reference applications and the test suite are to be highlighted. 

3

TV Sales Steady and Changing Revenue Streams 

Paul Gray’s (OMDIA) market review notes positive developments. He emphasizes robust TV sales and CE manufacturers exploring new revenue streams from advertising and subscription services, following the example of Roku and Vizio. However, challenges persist, because up to 70% of SmartTV advertising spending concentrated in the US. 

4

Diversifying Recurring Revenues 

In the pursuit of diversifying recurring revenues, TV platforms are starting to prioritize them over hardware sales. This involves exploring revenue avenues such as video advertising, revenue sharing with broadcasters/OTT VOD services, audience data, service placements on home screens, and selling custom remote control buttons for OTT providers. 

Smart TV advertising has already surpassed TV hardware sales, underscoring the growing importance of recurring revenues over one-time TV device sales.

5

Software’s Rising Importance

A noteworthy shift is observed as consumers increasingly prioritize the quality of TV platforms when purchasing new TVs. This prompts TV manufacturers to adopt a “razor blades or printer cartridge” business models, 75′ TV costs 400€ and recurring revenue possibly up to 100€/year for a single device. Simultaneously, the battle between operating systems, including Android, Tizen, and WebOS, intensifies. 

6

Content Discoverability and HbbTV’s Role 

From a consumer perspective, this raises the question of content discoverability — how many apps do I need to have installed on my SmartTV to access the content I want: FAST, catch-up, or VOD? In my opinion, HbbTV can address the discoverability of TV services, not by relying on the TV manufacturer, but as an integral part of TV channels. With the rise of OppApp, it can also become an integral part of the TV device itself.

7

DVB-I’s Potential for FAST Channels 

DVB-I is making strides with technical trials in Italy, Spain, and Germany, aiming to seamlessly integrate broadcast and broadband channels into one user interface, significantly enhancing content discovery.

However, a crucial question remains regarding the regulation, legislation, and certification regime needed to define roles and responsibilities in its management. The seamless combination of broadcast and broadband services is highly lucrative for content owners, providing cost-effective means for even niche channels to reach larger screens.

Another consideration is how to develop and distribute DVB-I compliant client apps to devices like set-top boxes, streaming sticks, and mobile devices. Nevertheless, progress in technical, business, and legislative realms continues, and we anticipate real production deployments of DVB-I in Europe soon. This addresses the future of TV, where broadcast, OTT, and multicast deliver mainstream content to large audiences, alongside niche thematic and local content in both linear and on-demand offerings.

The challenge lies in defining the regulatory framework for its effective management.

8

Addressable Advertising and DVB-TA Compliant TVs 

Addressable advertising is deemed a crucial feature for generating increased revenue from the same ad inventory, emerging as one of the hot topics once again in Naples. While display advertising still has its place, there’s a noticeable shift in focus and high expectations toward dynamic ad substitution. In Italy, Linear Ad replacement has become a daily norm, experiencing a 30% YoY growth with over 100 campaigns in 2023. The most prominent advertiser segments are retail, beverages, and Telco. Two main models have been adopted: replacing the entire ad break with online ads and changing only 1-2 ads within the ad break. Technically, most broadcasters rely on client-side ad replacement and custom pre-buffering of manifests to ensure a seamless transition from broadcast to broadband and back.

What holds great promise is the release of the very first DVB-TA compliant TVs by Samsung, utilized by Mediaset in their dynamic ad substitution business. This development not only makes technical implementation easier but also provides a broader horizontal technology platform for utilization.

9

Promoting HbbTV Engagement for Targeted Advertising 

To launch successful targeted advertising in any country, HbbTV should be mandated as the default setting. However, channels must also offer additional beneficial HbbTV services to keep viewers engaged, as seeing only ads may result into reluctance in keeping HbbTV activated on their TVs. 

10

Audience Measurement Challenges 

A significant focus during the unconference, evident from the substantial audience participation, revolved around audience measurement. Exploring how entities like Barb, GfK, Kantar, and others compare to real-time measurement via HbbTV sparked interesting discussions. Particularly for smaller channels facing zero ratings, HbbTV measurement has proven invaluable. The data from HbbTV audiences clearly demonstrates their presence, even when panel data falls short. However, a challenge persists in persuading advertisers of this reality, given their reliance on official TV ratings. This poses a political question requiring resolution, and it’s crucial to involve both media agencies and official panels—often the gatekeepers between TV and media buyers in many countries. While data collection can be costly, channels must assess whether they can justify the expense with the potential for a larger ad inventory and enhanced visibility into how their programming is consumed.

11

Developer Tools and Industry Support 

Concluding on another positive note, Samsung’s release of developer tools for 2024 models is highlighted as a step forward, fostering efforts to enhance UX and cross-platform support within the industry. I hope this paves road for other manufacturers to follow. 

HbbTV is a global initiative aimed at harmonizing the delivery of broadcast and broadband services through connected TVs and set-top boxes. It enables broadcasters to deliver interactive content, such as on-demand videos, catch-up TV, and interactive applications, alongside traditional broadcast services.

Read about Icareus’ HbbTV platform: https://icareus.com/products/hbbtv-solutions/

HbbTV symposiums are events where industry professionals, stakeholders, and experts gather to discuss the latest developments, trends, and challenges in the field of hybrid TV. These symposiums often include keynote presentations, panel discussions, technical sessions, and demonstrations of new HbbTV technologies. Participants may include representatives from broadcasting companies, technology providers, regulatory bodies, and other relevant organizations.

More information:
https://www.hbbtv.org/11th-hbbtv-symposium-and-awards-2023/

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Jessica Glad

11th HbbTV Symposium and Awards

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Meet us @ the

11th HbbTV Symposium and Awards

 

28 – 29 November 2023

Stazione Marittima, Molo Angioino, Naples, Italy

Icareus will be at the 11th HbbTV Symposium and Awards, the annual key industry summit targeting platform operators, broadcasters, advertisers and adtechs, standards organisations and technology companies. Our director Mikko Karppinen will be there to talk about Icareus’ solutions:

  • Icareus Playout CS HbbTV Carousel streamer with support for AIT, DSM-CC, DVB-TA and Advertising
  • Icareus Suite cloud for HbbTV and OTT service management
  • Icareus HbbTV and OTT applications
  • HbbTV Addressable TV Advertising
  • HbbTV Audience Measurement

IBC2025 banner

Find us at IBC2025!

December 8, 2024 No Comments

Meet the Icareus team at IBC2024 IBC is the world’s most influential media, entertainment and technology show. Six leading international bodies are the partners behind IBC, representing both exhibitors and

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Find us at IBC2024!

August 14, 2024 No Comments

Meet the Icareus team at IBC2024 IBC is the world’s most influential media, entertainment and technology show. Six leading international bodies are the partners behind IBC, representing both exhibitors and

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11 highlights of the 11th HbbTV Symposium 

December 5, 2023 No Comments

Discover the dynamic landscape of television technology as we dissect the highlights from the 11th HbbTV Symposium in Naples, Italy. From broadcasters embracing direct-to-consumer models to advancements in HbbTV standards like OppApp, the blog post navigates through the evolving trends that promise to redefine the television viewing experience.

Read More »
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Mikko Karppinen

What is DVB-TA? (Targeted Advertising)

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Blog what is DVB-TA

DVB-TA is the new specification by DVB Project that defines a technical framework to offer dynamic ad substitution on broadcast networks. It is an good initiative to bring economies of scale and interoperability between different ad and broadcast platforms.

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Jessica Glad

Icareus HbbTV Carousel streamer servers to Open Beyond TV Channel in Greece

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Icareus HbbTV Carousel Streamer to Open Beyond

Helsinki, 08.09.2020, Open Beyond, a Greek commercial free-to-air TV channel, has acquired Icareus Playout Carousel platform to provide hybrid broadcast and broadband (HbbTV) interactive TV services in Greece. The delivery was done by the Icareus’ local distributor Epeegee.

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Mikko Karppinen

Blog: Why HbbTV is do or die for broadcasters?

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HbbTV is do or die for broadcasters

TV viewing has changed. Fact that everyone in the industry has accepted: broadcasters, advertisers, operators and content owners. Content consumption is moving from linear to catch-up at a pace that no-one can really forecast.

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Mikko Karppinen

Blog: Top 6 Take-aways from the 7th HbbTV Symposium

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Top 6 Take-aways from the 7th HbbTV Symposium. Read my view on where the market is going.

HbbTV is seeing a steady growth and the industry commitment is there. Operators start to embrace it with the new OpApps spec. Addressable TV will have the biggest impact on the industry over the next 5 years.

 

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Jessica Glad

Audience Measurement from 2 million+ Turkish TVs and HbbTV services for four channels with the effort of one

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Audience Measurement from 2 million+ Turkish TVs and HbbTV services for four channels with the effort of one

Helsinki, 23.5.2018, Icareus has delivered a turnkey HbbTV solution to ATV, the leading commercial broadcaster in Turkey. ATV wanted to offer more to their viewers and to understand better how their channels are watched, so they turned to Icareus to design and deliver a complete SmartTV service based on HbbTV (www.hbbtv.org). Icareus build a turnkey HbbTV solution based on its existing products that enabled ATV (www.atv.com.tr) and its sister channels A Haber, A Spor and children’s’ channel Minika to offer valuable services to their viewers via SmartTVs.

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Jessica Glad

Mediaset rolls out their HbbTV services with Icareus

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Mediaset rolls out their HbbTV services with Icareus

Helsinki, 23.5.2018, Mediaset, the leading commercial broadcaster in Italy, launched their hybrid, broadcast and broadband services (HbbTV) services in 2017 with the help of Icareus. Icareus delivered new HbbTV Carousel solutions to Mediaset, that was rigorously tested to support the simulcast of the legacy MHP platform and HbbTV, the critical requirement in Italy. Icareus solution will allow them to expand their HbbTV services.

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Jessica Glad

Icareus’ End-to-End HbbTV Platform to leading terrestrial operator Emitel

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Helsinki, 15.2.2018, Icareus has delivered a turnkey HbbTV solution to Emitel, the national terrestrial TV network operator in Poland. With the new Icareus system Emitel is start the HbbTV service offering for TV viewers in Poland.

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