According to Financial Review, Australian free-to-air television is about to undergo a technological revolution that will enable networks to marry broadcasting with the internet, creating another threat to pay-TV. Industry representative body Freeview Australia is working with the local free-to-air (FTA) networks and TV manufacturers on a coordinated launch of HbbTV next year.  

HbbTV will enable local FTA TV networks to deliver programmes and other content over both broadcast spectrum and the internet, with the one remote control, offering simultaneous internet/broadcast viewing.

Separately, BRW reported that Channel Seven first announced its plans to launch HbbTV in 2014 and that Channels Nine and Ten were also working on hybrid television plans.

“Following soon after the completion of digital switchover across the country [in December], HbbTV will be the next exciting innovation for the free-to-air platform and will deliver an expanded and unparalleled television experience to all Australians, for free,” Freeview Australia general manager Liz Ross said.