16 May 2022
A new system to integrate online and broadcast audiovisual services promises to provide a coherent, consistent, and convenient user experience across different screens.
While users are familiar with traditional electronic programme guides on various television platforms, there has been no standard system to enable users to access service information on any screen.
With viewers and listeners now accessing services on different devices over diverse networks, including fixed and mobile connections, this integrated online system provides a solution to the problem of how to find your favourite programmes and discover new ones.
A new online platform to be launched at the DVB World event in Brussels promises simple service selection on any screen, giving users choice, convenience, and control.
The Service List Registry will enable regulators, producers, distributors, and service providers to register services so that any compatible screen, device, or application can discover and access them over the most appropriate available delivery network.
The system allows hybrid services to be delivered over multiple network technologies and enables providers to evolve their offering while continuing to support existing services.
The registry ensures prominence of programming from traditional national and regional broadcasters, together with international, premium, and special interest services. It supports free and subscription models across conventional channels and on-demand applications.
“Users want a simple way to select services on any screen, however they receive them,” said Dr William Cooper, the co-founder and Chief Executive of the Service List Registry. “Having worked in broadband and broadcast convergence for two decades, this represents a significant step forward in the future of television and video distribution.”
The online directory is based on the open DVB-I standard. Hosted on global network infrastructure, it is freely accessible to any compatible device or application and does not track end users or their usage of services.
The system is designed to meet the demanding operational requirements of media services with millions of users. Registry requests can be easily integrated in client devices and applications to enable them to discover and access relevant services.
The Service List Registry is inviting participation from partners, regulators, broadcasters, service providers, platform operators, device manufacturers and application developers before it becomes generally available.
Further information is available online at:
The Service List Registry is a federated online directory of audiovisual media services, based on open standards. Registered regulators, media providers, and distributors can manage lists of offerings available online and through traditional broadcast networks. This enables compatible devices, displays and applications with different capabilities to discover and access relevant services from multiple sources, offering users choice, convenience and control, on any screen.
Dr William Cooper is an internationally recognised consultant and advisor to media and technology companies. He was previously Head of New Media Operations at the BBC.
DVB World is an international event in Brussels to talk about the future of media delivery.
DVB-I is an open standard for Service Discovery and Programme Metadata, developed by the European Broadcasting Union and the DVB Project based in Geneva, and published as DVB BlueBook A177 and ETSI TS 103 770.
Background white paper to the Service List Registry, the problems that it solves and the benefits that it provides to the audiovisual ecosystem and end users.
Telephone: +44 (0)20 7993 2278
Email: botblocker@slrdb.org
Contact usService Registry Limited is registered in England and Wales as company number 14040796.