No UK broadcasters have signed up to a new European Broadcast Union agreement to develop open standards for hybrid TV in 2012.

The EBU said that “only a flexible, cross-border approach will create the necessary impetus” to realise the promise of hybrid technology and European rollout of the standard, which is planned for next year.

But of the 24 broadcasters to sign the deal - including France Télévisions, ARD and ZDF in Germany, Ireland’s RTÉ and RAI in Italy - none are based in the UK.

In signing up to the project, the broadcasters have agreed to develop open standards for connected TVs, including HbbTV, MHP and MHEG-5.

They have also pledged to exchange best practice in a bid to push through a rollout of hybrid television services next year.

The announcement was made at the EBU’s 67th General Assembly in Geneva earlier this week.

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