MUMBAI: HTTV has announced that httvLink, its HbbTV open-middleware for connected TV STBs, has been selected by Eutelsat KabelKiosk to power its new wholesale HbbTV IPTV offering. This will be the first time worldwide, that HbbTV will be deployed on IPTV networks.

KabelKiosk is the leading provider of ready to use TV products and services in Europe for network operators. It is operated by Eutelsat Germany, a 100 per cent subsidiary of Eutelsat S.A, one of the worldwide leading satellite operators.

KabelKiosk will use HbbTV 1.5 compliant httvLink middleware and IP STB's from leading Korean manufacturer, Kaon Media, for its new HbbTV IPTV offering. It will enable IPTV Network Operators (IPNO) such as cities carrier or local communities to provide advanced connected TV set top boxes to more than five million German households. These IPNO would be able to operate pay TV networks under their own brands by using KabelKiosk's infrastructure and content.

Eutelsat KabelKiosk will make the content available on HbbTV STBs as well as on iOS, Android smartphone, tablets, PCs and Mac.

"HTTV is proud to have been selected by a leading provider such as KabelKiosk for this first HbbTV IPTV network wholesale offer" said HTTVCEO Regis Saint Girons in a release.  "This demonstrates that HbbTV is a flexible and powerful standard not only for free to air but also for PayTV and IPTV networks," he added.

"Our KabelKiosk platform is the engine of innovation in the German speaking cable and IP network markets. Therefore working with httv, one of the true digital TV software innovators, is a perfect match. Its leading position on HbbTV middleware has made it the natural choice to contribute to our new offer and to consolidate our technological leadership", said Eutelsat Germany managing director Martina Rutenbeck.