Connected TV and beyond

Nowadays, a paradigm shift is under way in the world of Digital Broadcast TV. This change, similar to that of the mobile market, promises a future where modern TV sets and set top boxes will become the merging point of TV and computers. The `Connected TV´ will allow users to access content available either from the broadcast channels or the Internet. There are already some independent attempts in realizing this concept as well as standardization efforts that aim at closing the gap between different implementations. However, more focus is placed on the integration of Internet content while the traditional broadcast part is neglected. In this work, we outline the current status and propose a framework for creating a true hybrid solution, where end users can enrich broadcast content with Internet-based enhancements so that they can enjoy improved and personalized viewing experience. In fact, this approach allows for content composition, by merging the base (broadcast) content with add on (Internet) content. This will further facilitate the opening of the TV market, the emergence of new business models and the offering of more advanced and personalized services.