Reflecting on DVB World 2025
Last week, we had the opportunity to attend the DVB World 2025 in Munich—a vital gathering for industry experts and innovators. Amidst the exciting atmosphere, one topic echoed loudly throughout the event: DVB-I. From every corner of the exhibition hall to the www presentations, DVB-I captured the attention of attendees and signified a major shift in the broadcasting landscape.
Demonstrating the Viability of DVB-I
The technical feasibility of DVB-I is no longer up for debate. Numerous demonstrations from broadcasters and device manufacturers showcased various implementations of this technology, proving that DVB-I is not only functional but ready for market adoption. From our side, we showcased our hybrid approach to DVB-I on a STB together with SES and the proven list generator of Sofia Digital. To verify interoperability, this STB has been also successfully tested with the DVB-I transmission from Eutelsat in our lab. Also on DVB World 2025, on the booth of Bayerische Medientechnik (BMT), you could see our Android TV app “LiveOn TV”, which is based on the same DVB-I implementation as the STB but works with the list generator of BMT. All this illustrates our readiness to support this groundbreaking technology with our Inaris TV Solution.
The Growing Need for DVB-I
Streaming services increasingly pivot towards live television offerings. Simultaneously, traditional TV broadcasters are following suit, positioning their media libraries to act more like streaming services. In this evolving landscape, DVB-I stands to strengthen live TV offerings and make new content accessible on an open and non-discriminatory platform.
Challenges Ahead: Regulatory Hurdles
However, despite the clear advantages of DVB-I, we must address the current state of uncertainty among manufacturers. Many are in a holding pattern as broadcasters and regulators strive to reach consensus on the framework details. A myriad of regulatory issues remains unresolved in nearly every country conducting DVB-I pilots and trials. This process is just beginning in many regions, and there is a concerning risk that progress may lag, potentially allowing streaming services to dominate the media landscape before DVB-I gains a foothold. This poses critical challenges that cannot be ignored.
Collaborative Efforts for Progress
In Germany, a roundtable discussion bringing together broadcasters and public entities has been kicked-off to tackle these challenges collaboratively. This initiative represents a crucial first step, yet it’s clear that much work lies ahead. As we reflect on our experiences at DVB World 2025, it is clear that DVB-I is not just a buzzword; it is a pivotal innovation that could reshape the future of broadcasting. Thus, it is essential for industry stakeholders to expedite this dialogue to ensure that DVB-I can thrive in a competitive media environment.