We all know that the Internet is a wild west when it comes to the number of standards out there, while the broadcast industry has kept things a bit more controlled. Because of this, TV services have a 100% SLA, while streaming services usually have around 99% (or less) – a small but important difference.
Now, think about how many different ways there are to manage channel lineups, EPGs, and extra TV services like catch-up, restart, and SSAI. The answer? A LOT! And this is exactly where DVB-I steps in.
What is DVB-I all about?
DVB-I is a new standard that lets TV services be delivered over the internet, kind of like how broadcast TV works. It makes it easier for users to find and watch content, whether it’s delivered through traditional broadcast or online. Essentially, it adds something extra to regular broadcast services, giving broadcasters a hybrid option. This hybrid setup can really improve how content is delivered, discovered, and enjoyed by users. What makes DVB-I stand out from other internet-based TV services is its focus on making things as reliable as traditional broadcast TV, while also giving users a great experience.
DVB-I works on all device types, with the same registry capable of managing mobile and desktop as well. So, don’t limit your thinking to just DVB networks.
Technical executive summary
To put it simply, DVB-I is all about making hybrid broadcast and broadband content work together smoothly.
Put less simply, here’s how it works and what it offers:
- Service Lists collect and share information about both broadcast and IP services. These lists are put together by broadcasters and content owners, combining TV channels and streaming content into one place. This is key for the hybrid model DVB-I supports.
- Service Discovery and Selection happen through the Centralized Service Registry (CSR). The CSR takes all these individual Service Lists and brings them together into one big, easy-to-access list. This ensures users always have up-to-date service info. When clients check out the registry, they get the details they need to tune into services, whether over the internet or through traditional broadcast.
- Logical Channel Numbering (LCN) keeps things simple by giving channels a consistent number across both broadcast and IP services. Even when services switch from one to the other, the LCN ensures channel numbers stay the same. This helps keep the traditional TV experience intact while introducing new tech.
DVB-I also adjusts service info based on where users are or what kind of device they’re using. This means viewers only see the content that’s available to them, without getting frustrated by options that don’t work.
Finally, DVB-I works well with HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast-Broadband TV), which lets users access interactive features like on-demand content and targeted ads. By 2026, more than half of European households will be reachable through HbbTV. By the end of this year, around 97 million households will be connected, making it the largest TV platform for advertisers.
Service Lists are key in providing flexibility, expansion and reach
Earlier, we talked about how Service Lists are central to DVB-I. But let’s dive a bit deeper into how they work.
The Service List Discovery (SLD) mechanism is key to how DVB-I operates. It pulls together a mix of TV services, whether they’re delivered via broadcast, broadband, or both. These lists carry the metadata that makes it easy for users to find and access content across different platforms.
Each service in the list includes key details like the channel name, service ID, transport protocol info (DVB, MPEG-DASH, HLS), EPG data, language options, and region availability.
Broadcasters can use both static and dynamic service lists. Static lists are great for consistent channels, while dynamic lists adjust based on location, bandwidth, or user preferences. All these service lists are brought together by the central service registry. In horizontal markets, this registry might be run by a government body, and in vertical markets, it’s usually the operator managing it. (More on that here.)
What really sets DVB-I apart is its ability to combine traditional broadcast channels with internet-streamed content in a single hybrid service list. This hybrid approach gives viewers a smooth and unified experience.
HbbTV: adding value and monetisation
DVB-I works hand-in-hand with HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV), a standard that combines traditional broadcast with IP delivery. DVB-I services can be paired with HbbTV apps, which allows interactive TV features like on-demand content, catch-up services, targeted ads, and more. This helps make DVB-I part of a bigger interactive ecosystem, offering more than just linear TV. Plus, HbbTV can be used to create DVB-I-based EPGs for a more personalised and branded user experience.
Streaming Services with MPEG-DASH and HLS
DVB-I uses adaptive bitrate streaming technologies like MPEG-DASH (Dynamic Adaptive Streaming over HTTP) and HLS (HTTP Live Streaming) to deliver content over IP networks. Both multicast and unicast delivery methods utilise these technologies, with multicast being especially useful for large-scale events as it helps maintain network efficiency. On the other hand, unicast is used for delivering on-demand content.
A key challenge that DVB-I tackles is syncing IP streams with traditional broadcast signals. This is especially important for live events, where viewers expect minimal delays when switching between broadcast and internet delivery (like moving from SD to HD or even 4K).
Content Protection and DRM
DVB-I promotes Digital Rights Management (DRM) systems to safeguard content, including those used in HbbTV. While it doesn’t prescribe a specific DRM system, it ensures compatibility with a range of protection mechanisms to secure content and prevent unauthorised access.
DVB-I vs. OTT: Why DVB-I Matters
As the name suggests, Digital Video Broadcasting – Internet (DVB-I) offers the much-needed standardisation for delivering TV services over IP. It’s not just for traditional DVB networks—it can be used by any OTT platform offering linear TV channels. Now, it doesn’t cover things like how Netflix sets up its service or how broadcasters handle their catch-up content. But, it does provide a solid framework for managing linear channels, FAST channels, or live sports streaming. This was something the industry didn’t have before DVB-I!
For OTT providers, DVB-I offers a straightforward way to launch streaming services across all DVB networks that support it. Adding channels to broadcast networks is almost like plug and play—just add a new service provider to the central service registry, and boom, OTT channels are on-air, just like any broadcast channel.
In the end, DVB-I isn’t just for OTT; it’s about finally bringing standards to areas that have been missing them, and bridging the gap between broadcast and OTT services.
Conclusion: DVB-I Is More Than OTT
DVB-I represents a significant advancement in digital video delivery. It brings together traditional broadcast services and modern internet-based solutions into one unified system. With support for service lists, adaptive streaming, and hybrid delivery, DVB-I is set to play a big role in the future of television broadcasting. By blending broadcast and IP services, it helps broadcasters, operators, and OTT providers deliver a smooth, high-quality experience to viewers, no matter the platform or network.
