Sofia Digital delivers HbbTV media library for DFB.TV on HD+
September 9, 2026 09.54 Europe/London By Broadband TV News Correspondent

Sofia Digital has delivered the HbbTV application powering the new DFB.TV media library on German TV platform HD+, extending the football channel with an interactive on-demand service for connected TVs.

The Finnish technology company provided the complete HbbTV layer for the service, including the connected red button entry point, catalogue navigation, subscriber entitlement management and integrated video playback. The application is available to HD+ households receiving DFB.TV via the Astra satellite system (19.2° East).

DFB.TV launched on 22 May 2026 as a 24/7 pay-TV channel dedicated to German football. Its programming covers the senior and youth national teams, amateur football, the DFB ePokal, futsal and beach soccer, alongside around 250 live events per year, interviews and documentaries.

Sofia Digital’s HbbTV application adds an on-demand catalogue of matches, highlights, magazine programmes and exclusive formats. Viewers can access the service directly from the linear DFB.TV channel using the red or yellow button on their remote control.

The service is integrated with HD+ subscriber entitlement, with video playback restricted to DFB.TV subscribers.

The application was developed using Sofia Digital’s unified application framework, which provides a single codebase for the company’s deployments for broadcasters and platform operators. The framework combines the Connected Red Button interface, content catalogue, entitlement handling and video player within a single application.

According to Sofia Digital, the approach enabled the HbbTV service to be delivered alongside the DFB.TV channel launch and subsequently support the broadcaster’s coverage of the German national team during the FIFA World Cup 2026.

“With the launch of the HbbTV red button application, football fans in Germany can easily access the DFB.TV media library directly on their television screens via HD+. Sofia Digital’s proven HbbTV expertise and technical know-how enabled us to implement the application professionally, while ensuring a smooth and intuitive experience for viewers,” said Andreas Schulz, Senior Manager, Product Engineering and Management at HD Plus.

Mika Kanerva, COO of Sofia Digital, added: “Together with HD+, we implemented the HbbTV application for the DFB.TV on-demand offer, bringing catalogue access, entitlement handling and video playback together in one seamless service for the television screen. The project underlines how proven HbbTV technology can help broadcasters and platform operators extend a linear channel into a compelling interactive TV experience.”

The DFB.TV application will be demonstrated by Sofia Digital at IBC 2026 in Amsterdam from 11 to 14 September. The company will exhibit in hall 1.B95.