ETSI TR 102 988 V1.1.1 (2011-05)

Media Content Distribution (MCD); Programme guide information distribution, situation and perspective

DTR/MCD-00011

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 12-May-2011
• Technical Committee: MCD - Media Content Distribution
• Current Stage: 12 - Completion
• Due Date: 25-May-2011
• Completion Date: 13-May-2011

Standards Content (Sample)

Technical Report
Media Content Distribution (MCD);
Programme guide information distribution,
situation and perspective
2 ETSI TR 102 988 V1.1.1 (2011-05)

Reference
DTR/MCD-00011
Keywords
EPG, transmission
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3 ETSI TR 102 988 V1.1.1 (2011-05)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 4
Foreword . 4
1 Scope . 5
2 References . 5
2.1 Normative references . 5
2.2 Informative references . 5
3 Definitions and abbreviations . 6
3.1 Definitions . 6
3.2 Abbreviations . 7
4 Characteristics of programme information . 7
4.1 Electronic Programme Guides . 8
4.2 Presentation techniques . 10
4.3 Value of programme information . 10
4.4 User security and privacy . 10
5 Programme information flow . 11
5.1 Ecosystem. 11
5.2 Challenges . 12
5.3 Use cases . 12
6 Interface I : Linear audiovisual media service provider to network operator . 13
6.1 Out-of-band transmission of programme information . 13
6.2 Limits . 13
7 Interface I : Inputs to the programme information aggregator . 14
7.1 Interface I : Interface to audiovisual content producer/provider and news agencies . 14
2.1
7.2 Interface I : Interface to Web advertising and social networks . 15
2.2
7.3 Interface I : Interface to generic Web data sources . 15
2.3
8 Interface I : Delivery outputs of the programme information aggregator . 15
8.1 TV guides (paper) . 15
8.2 TV guides (Internet) and network operators . 15
9 Interface I : Between programme information aggregators . 16
10 Interface I : Network operator to customer . 17
10.1 Traditional broadcast operators . 17
10.2 New television carriers . 18
10.2.1 IP-based standards solutions . 18
10.2.2 Non-standard implementations . 18
11 Synthesis and conclusions . 18
11.1 Hindrances to data quality improvements . 18
11.2 The programme information aggregator . 19
11.3 Way forward . 19
History . 21

ETSI
4 ETSI TR 102 988 V1.1.1 (2011-05)
Intellectual Property Rights
IPRs essential or potentially essential to the present document may have been declared to ETSI. The information
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, is publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be found
in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to ETSI in
respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the ETSI Web
server (http://webapp.etsi.org/IPR/home.asp).
Pursuant to the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation, including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee
can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web
server) which are, or may be, or may become, essential to the present document.
Foreword
This Technical Report (TR) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Media Content Distribution (MCD).
ETSI
5 ETSI TR 102 988 V1.1.1 (2011-05)
1 Scope
The present document is an analysis of the situation in the distribution of electronic programme guide and event
information of associated television services.
2 References
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific. For specific references, only the cited version applies. For non-specific references, the latest version of the
reference document (including any amendments) applies.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found at
http://docbox.etsi.org/Reference.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
2.1 Normative references
The following referenced documents are necessary for the application of the present document.
Not applicable.
2.2 Informative references
The following referenced documents are not necessary for the application of the present document but they assist the
user with regard to a particular subject area.
[i.1] ETSI EN 300 706: "Enhanced Teletext specification".
[i.2] ETSI ETS 300 707: "Electronic Programme Guide (EPG); Protocol for a TV Guide using
electronic data transmission".
[i.3] ETSI TS 102 796: "Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV".
[i.4] SMPTE 0259M: "Television - SDTI Digital Signal/Data - Serial Digital Interface".
[i.5] SMPTE 292: "1.5 Gb/s Signal/Data Serial Interface".
[i.6] ETSI EN 300 468: "Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Specification for Service Information (SI)
in DVB systems".
[i.7] ETSI TS 102 822-3-1: "Broadcast and On-line Services: Search, select, and rightful use of content
on personal storage systems ("TV-Anytime"); Part 3: Metadata; Sub-part 1: Phase 1 - Metadata
schemas".
[i.8] ETSI ETS 300 231: "Television systems; Specification of the domestic video Programme Delivery
Control system (PDC)".
[i.9] ETSI TR 101 211: "Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Guidelines on implementation and usage
of Service Information (SI)".
[i.10] ATSC A/65: "Program and System Information Protocol for Terrestrial Broadcast and Cable
(PSIP)".
[i.11] ARIB STD-B10: "Service information for digital broadcasting system (English translation)".
[i.12] ETSI TS 183 063: "Telecommunications and Internet converged Services and Protocols for
Advanced Networking (TISPAN); IMS-based IPTV stage 3 specification".
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6 ETSI TR 102 988 V1.1.1 (2011-05)
[i.13] ETSI TS 102 539: "Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Carriage of Broadband Content Guide
(BCG) information over Internet Protocol (IP)".
[i.14] ETSI TS 102 323: "Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Carriage and signalling of TV-Anytime
information in DVB transport streams".
[i.15] Open IPTV Forum: "Release 2 Specification Volume 3 - Content Metadata".
[i.16] ETSI TS 184 009: "Telecommunications and Internet converged Services and Protocols for
Advanced Networking (TISPAN); Rules covering the use of TV URIs for the Identification of
Television Channels".
[i.17] IETF RFC 4078: "The TV-Anytime Content Reference Identifier (CRID)".
NOTE: Available at: http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc4078.txt.
[i.18] Open Mobile Alliance: "Service Guide for Mobile Broadcast Services".
[i.19] ETSI TS 102 822-2: "Broadcast and On-line Services: Search, select, and rightful use of content
on personal storage systems ("TV-Anytime"); Part 2: Phase 1 - System description".
[i.20] ISO 15706: "Information and documentation - International Standard Audiovisual Number
(ISAN)".
3 Definitions and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms and definitions apply:
content producer: entity that created the content
content provider: entity that acts as the agent for and is the prime exploiter of the content
drive-by information: information overlaid on the video when changing channels, typically detailing the current and
next programmes
linear audiovisual media service: audiovisual media service provided by a media service provider for simultaneous
viewing of programmes on the basis of a programme schedule
linear audiovisual media service provider: natural or legal person who has the editorial responsibility for the choice
of the audiovisual content of the linear audiovisual media service
network operator: operator of a public telecommunications infrastructure which permits the conveyance of signals
between defined network termination points by wire, by microwave, by optical means or by other electromagnetic
means
pay TV: any service in which consumers can elect to access specific content for a fee, such as pay-per-view, content
rental, etc.
quality of experience (QoE): overall acceptability of an application or service, as perceived subjectively by the
end-user
teletext: data delivery system within television transmission
TV URI: identification of a broadcast television channel
TV widget: an element of a graphical user interface, typically a third-party application displayed on a TV screen
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7 ETSI TR 102 988 V1.1.1 (2011-05)
3.2 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
ARIB Association of Radio Industries and Business
ATSC Advanced Television Systems Committee
AVC Advanced Video Coding
B2B Business to Business
B2C Business to Consumer
BCG Broadband Content Guide
CE Consumer Electronics
CRID Content Reference Identifier
CSA Conseil Supérieur de l'Audiovisuel
DTD Document Type Definition
DTP Desktop Publishing
DVB Digital Video Broadcasting
TM
DVD Digital Versatile Disc
DVR Digital Video Recorder
EIT Event Information Table
EPG Electronic Programme Guide
ERT Event Relation Table
ETT Extended Text Table
FCC Federal Communications Commission
FTA Free-To-Air
FTP File Transfer Protocol
GUI Graphical User Interface
HBB Hybrid Broadcast Broadband
HD High Definition
HTML HyperText Markup Language
HTTP Hyper Text Transfer Protocol
ID IDentifier
IPG Interactive Programme Guide
IPTV Internet Protocol TeleVision
ISAN International Standard Audiovisual Number
ISBN International Standard Book Number
ISDB Integrated Services Digital Broadcasting
LIT Local event Information Table
MPEG Moving Picture Experts Group
OMA Open Mobile Alliance
PSI Program Specific Information
PVR Personal Video Recorder
ROI Return On Investment
SDI Serial Digital Interface
SI Service Information
STD Standard
TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol
UC Use Case
URI Uniform Resource Identifier
VBI Vertical Blanking Interval
VCR Video Cassette Recorder
XML Extensible Markup Language
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8 ETSI TR 102 988 V1.1.1 (2011-05)
4 Characteristics of programme information
Behind the generic term "programme information" are generally hidden two very different use-cases: Electronic
Programme Guide and Event Information. They are commonly carried via the same technical means, hence the
confusion, but their uses and requirements are different and require to be analysed.
4.1 Electronic Programme Guides
Programme guides provide users of television, radio, and other media applications with continuously updated
information displaying scheduling information for current and upcoming programming.
Traditionally, these were print publications. The Radio Times debuted as early as 1923. It originally carried details of
TM
the BBC radio programmes. Initially newspapers boycotted radio listings because they feared that people would listen
to news on the radio instead of buying newspapers. Today most newspapers carry a selection of daily television and
radio programming.
With the rapidly increasing spread of television receivers beginning in the 1960s, electronic versions of programme
information were made available to viewers. They provide viewers with continuously updated on-screen menus
displaying scheduling information. Their technological development happened in three phases:
TM
• Teletext first made programme information available to viewers, when the BBC 's Ceefax system debuted in
1976. The first TV sets with integrated decoders came to the market in 1977. Today, Teletext [i.1] is still the
main source of electronic programme information for most viewers, notably in the less developed countries.

Figure 1: Ceefax programme information from 1983
• Non-interactive electronic programme guides (EPG) are typically available for television and radio, and
consist of a digitally-displayed, non-interactive menu of program scheduling information shown by a cable or
satellite TV provider to its viewers on a dedicated channel; much like an airport display. They were first
introduced in 1981 in North America, and this is where the term "EPG" was coined.
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9 ETSI TR 102 988 V1.1.1 (2011-05)

Figure 2: Electronic programme guide (EPG) from 1987
• Interactive electronic programme guides (IPG) - though often referred to as EPG - allow television viewers
and radio listeners since the early 1990s to navigate scheduling information menus interactively. Selecting and
discovering programming by time, title, station, or genre is managed through an input device such as a keypad,
computer keyboard, or TV remote control. Its interactive menus are generated entirely within local receiving
or display equipment using raw scheduling data sent by individual broadcast stations or centralized scheduling
information providers.
Figure 3: Interactive programme guide (IPG) from 2011
• Nowadays, IPGs are more and more available on the Internet, either from sites specialized in programme
information (sometimes affiliated to print publications), or directly from the television channel itself.
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4.2 Presentation techniques
Already in 1997, ETS 300 707 [i.2] suggested partitioning of the programme information into vies that relate to
proximity in both, time and space:
• This Channel / Multiple Channel / Full EPG
• Now & Next / Today / Full Listing
ETS 300 707 [i.2] also already suggested breaking up the data in a third dimension: type of content (sports, comedy,
news, etc.). All these techniques are still in use today, although complemented by more advanced designs. Two basic
use-cases underpin these presentation techniques:
• Searching for content by specific criteria or active recommendation.
• Drive-by information when zapping.
This information is often enriched with additional promotional material like teaser trailers, scene photos, web links, etc.
The user experience for these supplemental elements of course largely depends on the capabilities of the receiver
platform.
4.3 Value of programme information
The past two decades, the industry was busy with bringing the content to the viewer, i.e. of developing and
deploying digital TV systems which enable broadcasters to offer more content, more diverse content, and all of that at
lower costs. Now that viewers are presented with literally thousands of TV services, the challenge of the immediate
future for the industry will be to bring the viewer back to the content. That means giving the viewers tools for
finding, locating and selecting the content they are interested in. The technical tool for this is metadata, of which
programme information is a part. If the viewer is not aware of "what is on", he is not going to watch it. Hence, there is
some interest in high quality metadata:
• Content providers and broadcasters have an interest for establishing branding in the growing "sea of content".
• Advertisers have an interest for attracting customers to EPGs for selling ad-space.
• Verticals (pay TV, IPTV) need to provide QoE to sell their packages (a good EPG is part of this).
Despite this interest, corresponding investments are however not always made. Some reasons are provided in clause 5.2.
4.4 User security and privacy
Programme information can be a sensitive topic: one does not want its personal information, or information about what
the user viewed or recorded, to appear publicly. Technical specifications have taken this risk into account.
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5 Programme information flow
5.1 Ecosystem
Figure 4: Flow of programme information
highlighting interfaces between actors
The programme information originates from two sources:
• The content producer, which has information about the content itself, a synopsis, the cast, picture elements,
feature films, etc.
• The programming division of the linear audiovisual media service provider, which decides when to air the
programme.
The technical division of the linear audiovisual media service provider is, at some point, in possession of both the media
content itself (tape or file), and the associated meta-data, which can act as programme information. It is then possible to
pass both through to the distribution network at the same time (interface I ). In practice though, often the programme
information does not take this way.
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12 ETSI TR 102 988 V1.1.1 (2011-05)
The interviews that were conducted for the present document have revealed the role of a third-party company that we
called the "Programme information aggregator". This actor gathers schedule information from numerous TV channels,
and matches them with extended data supplied by the content producers (interface I ). The consolidated information is
then sold to TV guides (paper or Internet) and distribution networks (interface I ). Sometimes it exchanges database
extracts with other programme information aggregators (interface I ).
The distribution network provides then the programme information to the customer, either in-band (DVB-style or
Teletext) or out-of-band (HTML), to be rendered by the customer's terminal.
5.2 Challenges
From a consumer viewpoint, FTA linear audiovisual media service providers have overall not spent extensive effort in
keeping programme information for viewers updated. From the weekly update schedule of the Radio Times, to a daily
update schedule when introducing Teletext was already a big move. This has caused some viewer frustration, since
short-term changes and live events today are typically not accounted for by the service providers. The viewers'
frustration has recently experienced a considerable bump with the spread of personal, digital recording devices. Their
operation turns out to be largely unreliable, especially in European countries. In the USA, the programme schedules are
based on an hour-long grid which defines national and regional time-slots; slots cannot overlap.
In practice, frequent updates are conveyed between service providers and EPG aggregators. There are many technical
and organisational obstacles for pushing these updates to the consumers. There are large variations of the frequency of
consumer-level EPG updates between markets and even within markets. Frequent updates present a challenge for
EPG aggregators, because they make high-quality editorial work virtually impossible.
Also, programme cancellation is becoming more and more frequent. Local regulators often prohibit cancellations; for
instance in France most conventions passed with the CSA ask the linear audiovisual media service provider to
communicate programmes 15 days in advance. This prohibition does not seem to hinder the trend; this is due to the
competition between service providers: one wants to adjust its programme offer according to what the competitors are
planning at the same time. linear audiovisual media service providers are also more and more challenged by Internet
contents. In some cases, the programme schedule would need to be updated every two hours. Instead, some channels
chose to communicate their cancellations once a day, always at the same hour. The phenomenon is common to all
European countries, and tends to get worse in Southern countries, and with newer TV channels.
The present document details every interface of the schematic, and in particular tries to identify the elements that would
need to be optimized in order to allow for live programme information updates.
5.3 Use cases
• UC1: Synchronization of digital video recorders. DVR devices are becoming more and more popular.
However, programmes may slide a bit from their planned schedule, and consequently the user may miss the
end of a recorded show. Programme updates should be transmitted in real-time until the end-user devices, so
that DVRs can be re-programmed when needed.
• UC2: Synchronization between traditional IPG data, and data coming from other means, e.g. HBB
technologies or IPTV providers. Most TV sets are able to extract programme information from specific
tables in the incoming multiplex (clause 10.1), and display it on-screen via an internal IPG, or drive-by
information. However there are nowadays other means to display programme information on modern TV sets:
- via an interactive application bound to a specific channel, taking advantage of the IP connectivity of the
TV set (applications using technologies such as HbbTV [i.3] already demonstrate such a use case);
- via an IPG applet or so-called "TV widget": some TV sets allow third parties to develop external
applications. Well-known brands in the programme information business already distribute such
applications, which are independent from the TV manufacturer, and which do not make use of the in-
band programme data;
- via the connection of the TV set to the set-top-box of an IPTV provider. In that case the set-top-box
displays an IPG and drive-by information according to data which are usually downloaded when needed
from central servers (
...