Broadcasters and device makers invited to witness production-ready DVB-I client demos
As DVB-I moves from industry trials into commercial deployment, visitors to IBC2026 (Amsterdam, September 11-14) can see how the open standard for streaming TV service discovery and programme information can be implemented quickly, with minimal development effort, across multiple device types.
Widely supported by European broadcasters, DVB-I enables linear TV channels to be streamed to devices without the need for a dedicated app. Instead, services are integrated into the native device interface.
DTVKit and Ocean Blue Software are demonstrating a jointly developed, production-ready DVB-I client at the show. This provides what the companies say is a highly portable and efficient implementation suitable for smart TVs, set-top boxes and other devices.
Aimed at broadcasters, operators, and TV manufacturers, the demonstration sees the DVB-I Client integrated with a React-based web user interface (UI) running on the DTVKit Android reference set-top box platform.
The demonstration will how consumers can discover DVB-I service lists with region selection, browse channels and services, view programme guide information and stream linear TV.
The demo also shows how viewers will navigate and launch on-demand boxsets, and how HbbTV and web applications can be launched from within programming.
Although the demonstration runs on DTVKit’s Android reference platform, the implementation itself is not Android-specific.
The web-based user interface communicates with the DVB-I client through a platform-independent JSON API, enabling deployment across a wide range of browser-capable environments.
The demonstration intentionally avoids the Android TIF/TIS framework, showcasing an integration model that can be readily adapted to different operating systems and middleware environments.
Moving towards deployments
Amy Cleary (above, left), managing director of DTVKit, which develops open, royalty-free software solutions for the TV industry, says: “The industry is now moving beyond DVB-I evaluation and into practical deployment.
“We are demonstrating a real implementation that manufacturers can integrate today.”
Ocean Blue Software provides broadcast and interactive middleware for 200M+ deployed devices, together with test and integration capabilities.
The company’s CEO Paul Martin (pictured above, right) says: “IBC is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate how DVB-I can be implemented in a practical, standards-compliant way.
“Working with DTVKit, we’ve created a solution that helps manufacturers reduce complexity and accelerate deployment while maintaining the flexibility needed for future services.”
DVB-I makes it possible for broadcasters and other channel owners to break their reliance on apps for streaming, albeit with the collaboration of device makers.
Services based on DVB-I, hosted on DVB-I friendly devices, can make linear streaming TV more like a broadcast experience for consumers who enjoy their programme guides, channel-based viewing, and up-down zapping.
There have been trials and proofs-of-concept for DVB-I services in multiple markets but this autumn we will see the first full commercial deployment – in New Zealand.
This is where the standard will first prove itself as the basis for a nationwide, free-to-air platform after the country’s broadcasters decided to use DVB-I for their next generation free-to-air TV service.