GENEVA—The HbbTV Association, a global initiative dedicated to providing open standards for advanced interactive TV services via broadcast and broadband networks, has published version 2.0.5 of its core specification.

HbbTV 2.0.5 is an update to HbbTV 2.0.4, published two years ago, and represents a significant technical advancement for hybrid and interactive television services. The update was approved at the latest meeting of the HbbTV Steering Group.

“HbbTV 2.0.5 represents an important step forward in the evolution of hybrid TV services,” said Vincent Grivet, chair of the HbbTV Association. “With formalized DRM, support for next-generation codecs such as AV1 and VVC, enhanced DVB-I integration, and WebAssembly capabilities, the specification aligns to the most recent and impacting market trends, enabling more sophisticated, secure and feature-rich services. It demonstrates HbbTV’s continued commitment to advancing the connected TV ecosystem for broadcasters, platform operators, content owners and viewers alike.”

The most notable change is the formal integration of Digital Rights Management (DRM) into the core specification.

While HbbTV devices have supported DRM for many years, this is the first time it has been explicitly defined, providing a harmonized, interoperable approach across the ecosystem. Support for at least one of the DRM systems listed in the HbbTV DRM specification published six months ago – Microsoft PlayReady or Google Widevine – is required.

This formalization is essential for enabling secure delivery of premium content and meeting the requirements of broadcasters, platform operators, rights holders, and content owners, ensuring a compelling experience for viewers.

WebAssembly support, already present to some extent in HbbTV devices via browser engines such as Chrome or WebKit, is now formally included in the specification. This allows advanced features such as efficient decoding of auxiliary video streams, including sign language services demonstrated by Catalan public broadcaster 3Cat at trade shows IBC 2025 and HbbTV Symposium and Awards 2025.

Additional web security measures have been incorporated, and support for the VVC and AV1 video codecs has been defined, although implementation of these codecs is optional. Several simplifications for implementers have also been introduced: unused features have been removed, others marked for deprecation, and some requirements relaxed to improve interoperability.

The integration between HbbTV and DVB-I introduced in HbbTV 2.0.4 is further improved in 2.0.5. The specification now clarifies how DVB-I applications associated with entire service lists can be supported, enabling platforms or service aggregators to obtain GDPR consent or agreement to terms and conditions. Implementation feedback, particularly regarding HbbTV and DVB-I integration, has resulted in numerous technical corrections being included.

The HbbTV Association plans to issue a Request for Proposals (RfP) in the coming weeks to extend its Conformance Test Suite to support HbbTV 2.0.5.

The HbbTV 2.0.5 specification and an associated explainer document are now available in the HbbTV Resource Library.

SANTA CLARA, Calif.—New research is highlighting the importance of interactive live video for Gen Z consumers. More than half of respondents (51%) to a survey commissioned by Agora agreed they would be more likely to engage with a company or brand that uses interactive live videos and experiences to connect with audiences. Thirty-five percent were neutral and just 14% disagreed.

The study, which surveyed over 1,500 Gen Z consumers, examines how Gen Z consumers are engaging with brands that use interactive live video through their own platforms or via third-party apps, like TikTok, Twitch and Instagram. 

Interactive live video includes live-streaming video where the audience can react with chat or emojis, and streamer(s) can interact with their audiences in real-time, the researchers noted.  

When it comes to watching live televised events – such as concerts, sports or award shows – 53% of Gen Z agreed they would prefer watching with interactive video features so they can engage with friends and other viewers with similar interests during the event. Thirteen percent disagreed and 34% were neutral.

The survey also highlighted some challenges to delivering interactive experiences with live video. 

Bad internet connection (56%) and video quality (54%) are the most recognized challenges Gen Z consumers reported with mobile app-based live video experiences. Forty percent saw glitches, bugs and crashing as a challenge, as well as phone hardware (36%) and data usage costs (30%).

"Gen Z consumers want brands to embrace the technology they use everyday – including interactive live video and streaming," said Tony Zhao, Co-founder and CEO of Agora. "Whether they use interactive live video through their own brand-centric platforms or through third-party mobile apps, there is a huge opportunity to connect with Gen Z on their terms using this technology."

Agora is a Real-time Engagement Platform as a Service (RTE PaaS) company. 

Agora's platform provides developers with simple, flexible and powerful application programming interfaces, or APIs, to embed real-time video and voice engagement experiences into their applications.

SAN BRUNO, Calif.—Think you’d be able to successfully rob a highly secure museum of its classic antiquities? YouTube is providing viewers the chance to find out without, you know, the threat of actual jail time.

“A Heist With Markiplier” is the first interactive special from YouTube that follows a branching narrative format where the viewer controls the outcome. The video stars YouTube content creator Markiplier as he attempts to rob a classic museum, with the viewer controlling all of the actions that could lead to a big payday or, in some cases, an untimely death.

YouTube joins other previous media companies that have created interactive videos to try and further engage consumers. Netflix, most notably, did so with the full-length movie “Black Mirror: Bandersnatch,” and Tinder crafted its own interactive story for its users.

“A Heister With Markiplier” was produced by Markiplier and Rooster Teeth.

Watch the video here.