13 December 2011, Cambridge: ANT, an established provider of software and services for the delivery of digital TV, today announced that leading set-top box manufacturer smart electronic GmbH, has licensed its ANT Galio HbbTV Platform. The new range of hybrid STBs (Set-Top Boxes) will deliver HbbTV (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV) services under the SMART brand to the German FTA (Free-to-Air) market.

smart electronic is one of the leading German companies in the field of consumer electronics for digital television reception. Based in the heart of the Black Forest region, the company is famous for innovative, user friendly and in particular easy to use receiver technology for satellite, cable and terrestrial signals. The main business encloses digital SD and HD receivers, based on high quality and eco-friendly features for perfect home entertainment.

Furthermore, smart electronic is engaged in developing and providing interactive services for hybrid STBs. The innovative smartPORTAL provides a wide choice of web based functions and multimedia network services such as social networks, video on demand and interactive information.

ANT is a founder and Steering Group member of the HbbTV consortium. The ANT Galio HbbTV Platform has been selected and deployed by many of the industry’s leading device and ODM (Original Design Manufacturers). It provides a single, pre-integrated software solution, optimised for the HbbTV market, enabling vendors to reduce costs and time to market.

The HbbTV standard continues to see significant uptake across Europe. HbbTV-enabled STBs and connected TV’s have been widely deployed in Germany since December 2009. French HbbTV services were launched earlier this year with the support of the Conseil Supérieur de l’Audiovisuel (CSA) while in Spain a number of national and regional broadcasters have begun rolling out terrestrial HbbTV services.

Christoph Hoefler, CEO at smart electronic GmbH commented: “HbbTV continues to be well received by German consumers. When evaluating HbbTV solutions it quickly became clear that ANT is the leading vendor with unrivalled market and deployment experience.”

Sean Kim, VP & General Manager for Asia & Russian Markets at ANT said: “We are pleased to be working with smart electronic to bring a new range HbbTV STBs to the German market. With an increasing number of high quality HbbTV services being developed by German broadcasters, the on-going adoption of HbbTV services marks the evolution of a richer TV experience for consumers.”