​22.07.2019

"Can you survive Moon?" and how ProSiebenSat.1 revolutionises HbbTV

by Eyes & Ears of Europe

On the 50th anniversary of the moon landing on 15 July, "Galileo" used HbbTV technology for an extraordinary contribution: The German knowledge magazine let its viewers slip into Neil Armstrong's moon boots in an interactive space event. In various scenarios, some of which recreated real decision-making moments of the various Apollo missions, the viewer could vote live via app or remote control via HbbTV on how he would behave instead of the astronaut. The decision of the majority determined the further course of the mission. Will the crew be able to survive the moon landing with the help of the audience and get back to Earth in one piece? The event can still be individually replayed now - in the red-button media library, in the 'Galileo' app and on galileo.tv.

But how did the idea for this interaction event come about? We asked Eun-Kyung Park, Chief Digital Officer Entertainment at ProSiebenSat.1.

"We have had very positive experiences with the past interactive events: For example, on 'Galileo' with 'You are Chancellor', where viewers as 'Chancellor' could make decisions and thus influence the storyline (via 'Galileo' app). Or during the HbbTV live voting in linear TV, where viewers can vote with the remote control in front of the TV (e.g. during the battles of 'The Voice of Germany'), which talent should advance. Our interactive features have always been very well received by users," says Park.

In addition, the networked living room is currently the number one topic in the entertainment industry. "HbbTV is the technology that connects the online and television worlds. Smart TVs are the unbroken trend among new sets and can already be found in every second household in Germany," Park continued. "This offers many opportunities for innovative entertainment!"

For ProSiebenSat.1 TV Deutschland, the viewer is of course always at the centre: he should have fun with the available entertainment. With the 'Galileo' moon landing, a case was implemented for the first time in which the viewer could directly influence the outcome of the action via HbbTV remote control. Previously, this was only possible via the Galileo App, which users first had to download. The advantage of the HbbTV technology is that it is already integrated on smart TVs and offers viewers the opportunity to play along in an uncomplicated and spontaneous manner - without having to install anything extra and without media discontinuity.

"It's exactly what the viewer is looking for in the entertainment world: relaxed entertainment with shows that are just what they want. And the possibility of playing along, guessing what to do or having a say if they feel like it," says Park.

But what are the obstacles to such a project? "The simultaneous aggregation of the votes was a small challenge," says Park. "Because those from the 'Galileo' app had to be added to those via remote control. In order to inform viewers how the majority of viewers had decided, the result of the voting was then displayed on TV via a 'real-time graphic'. This was followed by the corresponding storyline."

From the broadcaster's point of view, the action was a complete success. Despite the challenges, the event went smoothly and the participation via HbbTV was almost twice as high as with standard votes in the Galileo environment without direct impact on the broadcast.

Further HbbTV interaction events are planned, but we will only find out exactly which ones when the time comes. Until then, we will be able to play, guess and have a say in the past interaction events of "Galileo": "You Are President" , "Du bist Boss" , "Du bist BKA-Ermittler", "Du bist Polizist" und "Du bist mutig".

The ProSiebenSat.1 red-button portal

Thanks to HbbTV, the television experience on the ProSiebenSat.1 channels is individually tailored to the viewer. As soon as the user opens the channel media libraries on his smart TV with the "red button" of his remote control, he sees any missed episodes and recommendations tailored to him at a glance. The new "Continue Watching" function remembers at which point the viewer interrupted a programme and enables immediate access at a later point in time. Soon, recommendations will also be used in the current TV programme, which will then be suggested to the viewer via appropriate inserts.

The basis for this is the red-button portal, which is available free of charge to smart TV owners. ProSiebenSat.1 bundles all media libraries of its channels there and offers viewers the entertainment worlds of ProSieben, SAT.1, kabel eins, sixx, ProSieben MAXX, SAT.1 Gold and kabel eins Doku. Users will also find additional content on the portal, such as picture galleries or puzzle questions as well as the interactive feed with digital news, services and entertainment information.

Eun-Kyung Park, Chief Digital Officer Entertainment ProSiebenSat.1: "With our new technology, we are bringing the convenience of modern streaming portals to television and offering our viewers a seamless entertainment experience. During a programme, we also individually suggest additional programmes and thus strengthen the connection to our content. We have developed these innovative features in-house and are delighted to be the first broadcaster in the German-speaking world to offer them exclusively to our viewers."