Service discovery

The Service List Registry allows any compatible screen, device, or application to discover audiovisual services from multiple sources, delivered over diverse broadcast and broadband networks, offering users simple service selection with choice, convenience and control.

Enabling the ecosystem

Users

Access programmes

Any service

Simple selection

Seamless experience

Simplification

Users can simply select from lists of available channels and services based on their location and the capabilities of their screen.

Devices

Discover services

Any screen

Interoperable

Open standards

Innovation

Client devices and applications can retrieve service lists using open web standards and present the results in their own interface.

Providers

Manage offerings

Any network

Linear channels

On-demand catalogues

Distribution

Media and platform providers can publish lists of services available by region across various delivery networks.

Regulators

Approve providers

Prominence

Provenance

Plurality

Designation

Regulators can designate national or regional service lists to maintain the prominence, availability, and accessibility of public service media.

Flexible delivery

Supporting any combination of conventional cable, satellite and terrestrial transmissions, seamlessly aggregated and integrated with on-demand offerings, the registry incorporates traditional television and radio channels with services delivered over any wireless or fixed internet connection, including mobile and fibre networks.

Integrated experience

The simple service layer enables free, subscription or mixed models and preserves prominence, branding and accessibility for broadcasters. It allows users to select from a wide range of relevant local, regional, national, and international services according to location, language, and personal preferences.

Over diverse networks

Satellite

DVB-S/S2

Terrestrial

DVB-T/T2

Mobile

Wi-Fi / 4G / 5G

Fixed

IP / DVB-C/C2

in any combination

Operation

Services — Registered regulators, broadcasters, and service providers can list offerings on the self-service platform for a nominal fee on fair, reasonable and non-discriminatory terms.

Devices — Any client device or application can query the platform using the published Application Programming Interface. Public query requests are entirely free of charge.

On multiple screens

Television

HbbTV / Native

Handheld

Phone / Tablet

Computer

Laptop / Desktop

Player

Connected devices

empowering any compatible connected device

Overview

The Service List Registry provides an online directory to enable different devices and displays to discover and connect to audiovisual services delivered over diverse networks.

Providers Registry Regulators Device Broadcast Channels Online Channels Programmes Applications User

How it works

A compatible internet connected client device or application can query the Service List Registry to discover available services based on its capabilities.

Device Client Registry Server
Request relevant service offerings
Return list of matching service offerings
Request selected service offering
Return list of services and sources

When the user selects a service, the service list information enables the client to connect to the appropriate broadcast or broadband source to access and present the selected channel, stream, or app.

Open standards

The Service List Registry is based on freely available open standards and protocols:

  • HTTPS
  • XML
  • JSON
  • DVB-I
  • HbbTV

Requests to the registry are easily integrated using web standards from the W3C World Wide Web Consortium and the DVB-I specification developed by the DVB Project.

DVB-I services are supported by the HbbTV specification for Hybrid Broadcast Broadband Television.

The Service List Registry is hosted on globally resilient infrastructure and is designed to be highly available and scalable to meet the requirements of service providers worldwide.

Innovation

The federated directory simply provides structured information about audiovisual services and how to access them. Service providers can deploy their own systems to support information for programme guides or to deliver programming on demand.

Programme providers, platform operators, and suppliers of devices and displays are free to brand, innovate and differentiate their services and products, while taking advantage of global economies of scale across multiple markets.

Platform features

Discovery — The public query interface allows any compatible device or application to retrieve relevant service lists with references to available services.

Administration — A browser-based administration console provides a simple and secure interface to enable authorised users to manage service list offerings.

Reliable

  • Distributed global infrastructure
  • Highly available architecture
  • Secure by design systems
  • Fully managed and maintained

Trustable

  • Federated registry administration
  • Role-based access control
  • Single-sign-on integration
  • Two-factor authentication

Flexible

  • Multiple provider aggregation
  • Diverse distribution networks
  • Multi-level regionalisation
  • Multilingual support

Practical

  • Approval workflows
  • Masters and versions
  • Preview and test
  • Schedule in advance

Accountable

  • Full version control
  • Audit trail of changes
  • Archive of previous states
  • Roll back to any point

Accessible

  • Desktop or mobile user interface
  • Keyboard, mouse, or touch screen
  • Multilingual and bi-directional
  • Assistive technology support

Compatible

  • No software installation required
  • Operate from anywhere
  • Wide web browser support
  • Standards compliant

Brandable

  • Service provider attribution
  • Differentiation for devices
  • Transparent client operation
  • User experience innovation

Extensible

  • Versioning for enhanced features
  • Backward compatible
  • Programming interfaces
  • Systems automation support

Scalable

  • Huge number of client devices
  • High levels of concurrent usage
  • Low-latency query responses
  • Auto scaling to meet demand

Sustainable

  • Highly efficient infrastructure
  • Commitment to renewable energy
  • Carbon footprint auditing
  • Enabling optimised distribution

Simple

  • Set up services in minutes
  • Easy integration in applications
  • Ready to deploy in devices
  • Convenient for end users

Privacy

The privacy of end users is paramount. All end-user requests are anonymous and no personally identifiable information relating to end users or their usage of services is available to the Service List Registry platform or any third party.

Only non-identifying data is stored and processed for operational and statistical purposes to report on and improve the performance of the platform.

Pilot Programme

The Service List Registry Pilot Programme enables early adopters to evaluate the service discovery platform and to register, administer and publish their own service list offerings free of charge.