Deutsche TV-Plattform, the German industry alliance dedicated to broadcast and media technology, is celebrating a significant milestone: its 35th anniversary. Originally established on November 2, 1990, at Frankfurt Airport by 19 leading industry figures as the “National HDTV Platform Germany,” the organization has since grown into a vital hub for cooperation and innovation within the country's television and streaming ecosystem.
Today, the association boasts a membership of over 50 companies and institutions, encompassing a wide spectrum of stakeholders – from public and commercial broadcasters to streaming services, device manufacturers, infrastructure providers, regulators, research institutes, and universities. Its fundamental mission remains unchanged: to champion the adoption of digital technologies based on open standards.
Over the past three and a half decades, Deutsche TV-Plattform has been instrumental in shaping the technological evolution of television in Germany. Current areas of focus include artificial intelligence, advertising technology (AdTech), car entertainment, and DVB-I. The association is also proactively addressing regulatory demands, such as those stemming from the EU Accessibility Act, and is currently spearheading initiatives within three key working groups: Media over IP, Smart Media, and Ultra HD.
“Deutsche TV-Plattform is an indispensable forum for our industry. Nowhere else do so many players from the German-speaking TV and streaming markets come together – public and commercial broadcasters, network operators, solution providers, media platforms and device manufacturers. Together they are shaping the technologies of the future. In times of dynamic market change and shifting viewing habits towards streaming, this cross-industry collaboration is more important than ever,” said Nicole Agudo Berbel, Chair of the Board of Deutsche TV-Plattform.
Since its beginning, Deutsche TV-Plattform has played a supporting role in every major technological milestone in broadcasting, from PALplus and DVB-T to HDTV, DVB-T2 HD, Ultra HD-HDR, and HbbTV. It has consistently published white papers, organized industry events, and served as a bridge between stakeholders to facilitate the transition from analogue to digital and, more recently, to hybrid and IP-based television.
Initially founded to coordinate the market introduction of HDTV under the analogue 1250/50 standard developed within the European Eureka 95 project, the organization quickly broadened its scope. By 1993, it had been renamed “Deutsche Plattform für HDTV und neue Fernsehsysteme,” signaling its shift towards the digital transformation of television.
With a rich history of 35 years of achievements, Deutsche TV-Plattform continues to be a vital platform for collaboration, innovation, and standardization in Germany’s ever-evolving media landscape.