ANT Launches HbbTV Version of ANT Galio

UK-based digital TV client software provider, ANT, announced last week the launch of a new version of its ANT Galio platform for the recently launched HbbTV standard. Dubbed ANT Galio HbbTV Platform, the software is billed by the company as a "complete go-to-market" solution providing full support for Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) services.

The pan-European HbbTV initiative aims to harmonize broadcast and broadband delivery of entertainment to viewers through connected TV's and set-top boxes, by providing an open platform for broadcasters to deliver on-demand and interactive services that serves as an alternative to proprietary technologies. It is led by a cross-industry consortium that includes broadcasters, satellite operators, software providers and hardware manufacturers. It was officially launched at the IFA show in Berlin (note: for more on the launch of the initiative, see the article published on itvt.com, August 31st), and is based on elements of existing open standards and Web technologies, including OIPF (Open IPTV Forum), CEA, DVB and W3C.

ANT plans to demo HbbTV-based applications, including VOD, catch-up TV, games and HD text in the EBU (European Broadcasting Union) village (Stand 10.D21) at the IBC show in Amsterdam later this week. It will also be supporting set-top box vendor, Kaonmedia, in a demo of the latter's HbbTV implementation on Stand 1.B10. "We've worked closely with ANT on our new set-top box using ANT Galio HbbTV Platform and have quickly developed a strong market offering while delivering an excellent user experience," Konan Jeong, Kaonmedia's project and sales director for worldwide broadcasting and IPTV operation projects, said in a prepared statement. Added Richard Baker, ANT's EVP of sales and marketing: "The availability of HbbTV is a landmark development for connected TV in Europe as it encourages the European broadcast industry to adopt one formal, cross-country standard for hybrid devices for the first time. It has already received an excellent response from broadcasters and operators in Germany and France. We're delighted to be supporting Kaonmedia with their HbbTV implementation at IBC. ANT Galio HbbTV Platform provides a rapid route to market for device manufacturers entering the hybrid market with HbbTV devices."