ELI5: Explain Like I'm 5

Interactive television standards

Okay kiddo, have you ever watched a show on TV and wished that you could play along with it using your remote control? That's what interactive television is all about!

Now, there are different types of interactive TV shows, and they use different standards to make sure that they work properly. Imagine if you and your friends were playing a game, but each of you was using a different playbook. That would be confusing, right? Well, interactive TV standards make sure that everyone who's playing along is using the same playbook.

One of the most popular interactive television standards is called HbbTV. HbbTV stands for Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV, which is a fancy way of saying that it uses both your TV signal and an internet connection to make the interactive parts of the show work. HbbTV shows might let you vote on what happens next, or give you more information about the characters or the story.

Another interactive TV standard is called MHP, which stands for Multimedia Home Platform. MHP shows work a little differently than HbbTV shows, because they don't use an internet connection. Instead, all of the interactive parts of the show are pre-loaded onto your set-top box (the little box that connects your TV to the cable or satellite signal). That means that MHP shows can work even if you don't have internet access.

So, that's the basics of interactive TV standards, kiddo. Just like having a playbook that everyone agrees on in a game, these standards make sure that everyone who's playing along with the show is on the same page. Pretty cool, huh?