Lithuania set for HbbTV debut with LG

The Lithuanian Radio and Television Centre (Telecentras) – the country’s state-owned transmission services provider – has struck an agreement with LG Electronics  to introducing Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) services on LG smart TV sets.

Remigijus Šeris

The launch of HbbTV services will give LG smart TV users access to multimedia libraries, archives and other online video content.  To watch hybrid television content, consumers will need smart TV sets with an active HbbTV red button function and an internet connection with the required speed.

The launch of HbbTV in Lithuania is scheduled for the first half of this year.

“Our analysis has shown that consumers more often prefer to watch catch-up TV and video content created by Lithuanian broadcasters. Hybrid television will offer a possibility for smart TV owners to watch TV and video content in a more comfortable manner with a standard TV remote control and, most importantly, free of charge. Eventually this platform will offer more content and possibilities for content managing and interaction,” said Remigijus Šeris, CEO of Telecentras.

LG’s home entertainment product manager for the Baltic region, Wonbum Lee, said: “Hybrid television provides better opportunities for the use of Smart TV functions. It is great that Lithuania is joining the club of countries where LG manufactured TV sets are used for two types (air and Internet) broadcast reception. Smart TV sets supplied by us to the Lithuanian market are currently ready for hybrid television. HbbTV supported TV  function can be activated anytime from TV settings.”