Published:  12.6.2018

In recent years, Digita has invested heavily in developing new types of Hybrid TV services. Examples of applications enabled by Hybrid broadcast broadband TV (HbbTV) technology include a voting feature for music programmes in the autumn of 2017 and spring of 2018. The number of Hybrid TV devices has grown strongly among Finnish television viewers. Over 350,000 television sets now enable the active use of Hybrid TV services, which is over 2.5 times higher than the year before. Hybrid TV services are currently available over Digita’s Antenna TV network, and via Telia’s cable-TV service.

Due to the pickup in TV sales since last year, the number of devices is
expected to continue growing strongly. TV sales are expected to keep rising due
to the terrestrial technology transition scheduled for 2020, with an estimated
1,000,000 Hybrid TVs being capable of receiving the related services. Hybrid TV
is a type of Smart TV which enables the use of additional services via TV
channels. The use of such services also requires that the TV is online when the
service is activated.

 

Samsung has announced that its 2018 models will support Hybrid TV
services. ”All of Samsung’s 2018 Smart TV models will come with HbbTV 1.5
support, which means that Hybrid TV services can be used via new Samsung
devices,” says Markus Nummisalo, a Sales Manager from Samsung.  This means, that in the future, all smart TVs
sold by major brands in Finland will be Hybrid TVs.

 

Viewers
are interested in Hybrid TV voting
 

During the spring, Digita and the television companies have continued to
cooperate in the development of Hybrid TV features. The Hybrid TV voting
feature, which was first launched for last autumn’s Idols Finland programme,
was continued in Finland this spring with Kingi and the X Factor on MTV3, and
The Voice on Sanoma’s TV channel Nelonen During these programmes, viewers are offered
a voting service via a blue button on their remote controls.

”The experiences of the spring indicated that voting services are
very popular among users. On average, more than half of Hybrid TV viewers
activate the voting service during a programme; in turn, half of these take
part in actual voting,” says Teppo
Ahonen, Director, Video Delivery Services.

 

”Hybrid TV-additional services produced in connection with TV
programmes, which the viewer can use during the programme, are examples of how
television is transforming and adapting to the present day. Hybrid TV viewers
can affect issues, such as the content of live programmes, from the comfort of
their own sofas. This is increasing the impact of, and interest in,
television,” says Ahonen.

 

Hybrid services are already
available via all free channels

 

Because Hybrid TV services are offered as part of TV channels, their
availability varies by channel. All channels currently provide at least a
hybrid TV-programme guide, in addition to which Yle, MTV, Sanoma and AlfaTV
provide e.g. Web-TV services. The channels also offer programme-related
services whose availability varies according to the broadcasting season of the
programme in question.

Hybrid TV services are currently available over Digita’s Antenna TV network,
and via Telia’s cable-TV service. Other cable companies have so far stripped
the services out of TV channels prior to distribution.

 

Further information about Hybrid TV services: https://www.digita.fi/en/services/tv_and_video/hybrid_tv

Media contacts

 

Teppo Ahonen, Director, Video Delivery Services, tel. +358 40 5630 299,
teppo.ahonen (at) digita.fi

 

Digita transmits radio and television programmes to everyone
living in every corner of Finland every day of the year. We also apply the
latest digital technology in order to develop and offer versatile online
television and radio services. In addition, our service portfolio includes IoT
services based on our comprehensive network, as well as world-class Data Center
Services. Our clients include media companies as well as mobile and broadband
operators offering first-class content.