The members of the Open IPTV Forum and the HbbTV Association are pleased to announce that they have merged their future activities into a single organization within the legal structure of the HbbTV Association. This merger will be functional after June 16, 2014.
This decision is based on the recognition that the markets of OTT, HBB, and IPTV are coming closer together, and barriers between the models are becoming smaller. With this action, both the Open IPTV Forum and the HbbTV Association have chosen to react proactively and in a timely manner to these market trends.
With the recognition that there is a significant overlap between their activities and membership, as well as complementary work which could enhance both, the members of the Open IPTV Forum and the HbbTV Association have approved the plan to integrate OIPF's future activities into the HbbTV organization.
There is a strong desire to continue to build on both organizations' strengths through a merging of their activities in order to better serve the interests of all the stakeholders as well as the consumers in the markets that each organization currently serves. Both organizations' members agree that the fastest and most efficient way to continue this partnership will be through the legal structure of the HbbTV Association.
Nilo Mitra, president of the Open IPTV Forum, commenting on his membership's decision, said "The single organization we have created will ensure that the common platform based on the OIPF browser and used by HbbTV will evolve in a compatible way to serve all three types of service delivery models covered by both our members - over-the-top, hybrid broadcast/broadband and IPTV."
Klaus Illgner, chairman of the HbbTV Steering Group adds: "We're looking towards a converging future requiring us to adjust industry standards to changing market demands. By merging with the Open IPTV Forum, we're continuing to take steps to remain at the forefront of trends in the TV industry." He continues: "We are excited by this opportunity and welcome the new members from OIPF who will work with us to define the next wave of TV standards. The OIPF has been an industry leader in defining the IPTV evolution and we are excited to harness their expertise, insights and specifications into future HbbTV initiatives."
