Featured Speakers & Moderators

Industry leaders from broadcast, technology, and standards bodies who presented at the 6th Annual HbbTV Symposium in Rome, October 17–18, 2017.

A bright conference stage with a large projection screen and rows of empty audience seating, bathed in warm amber and soft blue lighting.

Speakers

David Uhlmann

Google

Pier Paolo Cervi

Mediaset

Alberto Sigismondi

Tivu

Matt Poole

ITV

Miggi Zwicklbauer

Fraunhofer

Nigel Megitt

BBC

Jon Piesing

TP Vision

Andrea Michelozzi

Comunicare Digitale

Lefteris Kretsos

Media Ministry, Greece

Stefano Selli

CRTV

James Jackson

Digital UK

Luca De Bartolo

Tivu

Pedro Valiente

Tivu

Ian Medland

DTG

Simona Tonoli

Mediaset

Simon Trudelle

Nagra

Juha Joki

Sofia Digital

Klaus Merkel

Teun Van Der Veen

Francesco Giuffrè

ANITEC

Atila Madakbaş

Admongrel

Talal Shamoon

Intertrust

Jason Power

Reinhard Koc

The full symposium agenda with session times is available on the Agenda page.

The HbbTV Symposium in Rome brought together a distinguished group of industry leaders from across the broadcast, technology, and standards landscape. Speakers represented major broadcasters, technology providers, and regulatory bodies, each contributing unique perspectives on the evolution of hybrid television. The carefully curated program featured experts who shared insights on how broadcast and broadband technologies can work together to create richer viewing experiences. Attendees had the opportunity to hear from professionals who are actively shaping the future of connected television, making the symposium an essential gathering for anyone involved in the digital television ecosystem.

The range of topics covered by featured speakers reflected the complexity and dynamism of the modern television industry. Presentations explored the technical standards that enable hybrid broadcasting, the user experience considerations that drive adoption, and the business models that sustain innovation. Speakers addressed challenges such as interoperability across devices, content discovery, and the integration of online services with traditional broadcast signals. Each session offered practical knowledge drawn from real-world implementations, giving attendees actionable insights rather than abstract theories about where the industry is heading.

Moderators at the symposium played a crucial role in guiding discussions and ensuring that diverse viewpoints were heard. These experienced professionals from the broadcast and technology sectors facilitated conversations that bridged technical and strategic perspectives. Their expertise helped audience members understand complex topics while encouraging speakers to elaborate on the most relevant aspects of their work. The moderated sessions created a collaborative atmosphere where questions from attendees led to deeper explorations of key themes, from regulatory frameworks to consumer behavior trends affecting hybrid television services.

The symposium's impact extended beyond the two days of presentations, as the connections made between speakers, moderators, and attendees continued to influence the industry long after the event concluded. Featured speakers shared not only their current work but also their visions for where hybrid television is headed in the coming years. The exchange of ideas between European and international participants highlighted the global nature of the HbbTV standard and its growing relevance. This gathering in Rome served as a milestone event that helped align the industry around common goals and technical roadmaps.