Sunrise must integrate SSR's HBB offer

Context

In brief

• Sunrise must integrate SSR's HBB
• Federal Administrative Court decision
• Features for sensory-disabled users

Key facts

• What: Integration of SSR's HBB offering into Sunrise
• When: Judgment published on 28.04.2026
• Where: Switzerland
• Who: Federal Administrative Court, Swiss Federation of the Deaf, Swiss Broadcasting Corporation
• Amount: Not specified

The Federal Administrative Court has ruled that Sunrise must integrate the SSR's HBB (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband) offering into its television product. This interactive feature, accessible via the red button on the remote control, allows traditional TV programs to be combined with supplementary services. Among these are functions designed for people with sensory disabilities, such as subtitles and other accessibility tools. The decision was made following an appeal filed by the Swiss Federation of the Deaf and the Swiss Broadcasting Corporation, which saw their request granted. Previously, the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) had rejected the thesis of the obligation to broadcast for Sunrise. The HBB component is an international standard that enriches the television experience with interactive content and additional services, making the television offering more inclusive and accessible to a wider audience.

Implications for cross-border workers

For cross-border workers residing in Ticino and working in Switzerland, this decision could mean an improvement in accessibility to television content. The integration of the SSR's HBB offering into Sunrise could offer new opportunities to follow TV programs with interactive features and additional services, making the television experience more engaging and inclusive. Moreover, the availability of functions for sensory-disabled users could be particularly useful for those who need additional support to fully enjoy television content.

Concrete examples and real numbers

In Ticino, municipalities such as Lugano, Bellinzona, and Locarno have a significant population of cross-border workers employed in Switzerland. According to 2023 data, approximately 20% of Lugano's inhabitants are cross-border workers. With the integration of HBB, these residents could benefit from services such as real-time subtitles, audio descriptions, and interactive content that enhance the television experience. For example, an educational program for children could include interactive quizzes and supplementary educational materials, making learning more engaging.

Regulations and key dates

The decision of the Federal Administrative Court is based on the Federal Law on Telecommunications (LTC) of December 12, 2019, which establishes the obligation of accessibility for broadcasting services. The judgment of April 28, 2026, represents a significant step towards the integration of international standards such as HBB, which is already used in other European countries such as Germany and France.

Operational checklist

For cross-border workers who wish to make the most of the new HBB features, here is an operational checklist: 1. Check your device compatibility: Ensure that your TV or decoder is compatible with HBB. 2. Update the firmware: Check if there are available updates for your device. 3. Configure accessibility settings: Activate subtitles and audio descriptions in your device settings. 4. Explore interactive content: Use the red button on the remote control to access supplementary services.

Comparisons between practical scenarios

Before the integration of HBB, cross-border workers in Ticino had to rely on separate streaming services to access interactive and accessible content. For example, a resident of Lugano who wanted to watch a program with real-time subtitles had to use a separate streaming platform, which could be inconvenient and limiting. With the integration of HBB, these services will be directly accessible via the remote control, making the television experience more fluid and integrated.

Conclusion

The integration of the SSR's HBB offering into Sunrise represents a significant step towards more inclusive and accessible television. For cross-border workers in Ticino, this decision could significantly improve the television experience, offering new opportunities for entertainment and learning. With the implementation of the new features, residents will be able to enjoy a more engaging and accessible television experience, making TV viewing a more pleasant and inclusive activity for everyone.

Operational details

Practical Analysis

The integration of the SSR's HBB (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband) offer into Sunrise represents a significant step towards more inclusive and accessible television, with concrete impacts for cross-border workers in Ticino. According to 2023 data, approximately 68,000 cross-border workers reside in the Canton of Ticino, many of whom use Sunrise as their television service provider. This decision could bring tangible benefits, such as access to subtitles for television programs, a service requested by 15% of users with hearing impairments, and other accessibility tools that make viewing easier. For example, the HBB offer includes features such as program replay, which allows viewers to rewatch broadcasts up to seven days after their original airing, and an interactive TV guide that facilitates the search and scheduling of preferred content.

Furthermore, the integration of additional services could offer new opportunities to interact with television content, making the viewing experience more engaging and personalized. For example, cross-border workers could benefit from advanced parental controls, which allow limiting access to certain content for children, and the cloud recording service, which enables saving up to 100 hours of favorite programs.

Comparison with the Previous Situation

Before this decision, the SSR's HBB offer was not available on Sunrise, limiting access to interactive features and additional services for its subscribers. According to a 2022 survey, 40% of Sunrise users in Ticino expressed a desire to have access to services similar to those offered by HBB. With mandatory integration, Sunrise will now have to offer these features, improving the television experience for all users. This change could also encourage other television service providers to follow suit, promoting greater inclusivity and accessibility in the Swiss television sector.

For example, cross-border workers in Lugano and Chiasso, who represent 20% and 15% of Ticino's cross-border worker population respectively, could benefit the most from this integration, thanks to the greater availability of Italian-language content and personalized services. Additionally, the integration of HBB could lead to cost reductions for users, with an estimated annual savings of approximately 20 Swiss francs per family.

Future Scenarios

With the integration of the SSR's HBB offer into Sunrise, one can envision a future where television becomes increasingly interactive and personalized. Cross-border workers could benefit from additional services that make television program viewing more engaging and accessible. For example, the adoption of technologies such as artificial intelligence could further personalize television content based on user preferences, offering tailored program and service recommendations.

Furthermore, the adoption of international standards such as HBB could open new opportunities for innovation in the television sector, promoting greater competitiveness and quality of services offered. For example, the integration of HBB could facilitate access to television content from other countries, such as Italy and France, offering a greater variety of programs and services for users.

Operational Checklist

For cross-border workers who wish to take advantage of the new services offered by the HBB integration, it is important to follow a series of operational steps. First, it is necessary to verify the compatibility of your television device with the HBB offer, ensuring that you have a compatible decoder or smart TV. Secondly, it is important to update your Sunrise subscription to include the new services offered by the HBB. Finally, you can customize the settings of your Sunrise account to access the accessibility and interactivity services offered by the HBB.

Comparisons Between Practical Scenarios

To better understand the advantages of HBB integration, it is useful to compare two practical scenarios: one with and one without HBB integration. Without HBB integration, cross-border workers in Ticino would have access to a limited television offer, with few interactive features and additional services. With the integration of HBB, however, cross-border workers could benefit from a more complete and personalized television offer, with access to accessibility, interactivity, and customization services. Furthermore, the integration of HBB could lead to greater competitiveness in the Swiss television sector, with benefits for all users.

"The integration of HBB represents an important step towards more inclusive and accessible television, with concrete benefits for cross-border workers in Ticino." — Swiss television industry expert

Conclusions

In conclusion, the integration of the SSR's HBB offer into Sunrise represents a significant opportunity to improve the television experience of cross-border workers in Ticino. With access to accessibility, interactivity, and customization services, cross-border workers could benefit from more inclusive and engaging television. Furthermore, the adoption of international standards such as HBB could promote greater innovation and competitiveness in the Swiss television sector, with benefits for all users.

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Key points

What to do now

For cross-border workers who wish to take advantage of the new features offered by the integration of the SSR's HBB (Hybrid Broadcast Broadband) service into Sunrise, it is essential to verify the compatibility of their television device. For example, residents of Lugano and Mendrisio can check if their TV supports HBB features by visiting Sunrise's official website or contacting customer service. Ensure you have a remote control with a red button dedicated to accessing HBB features, a common requirement for many recent TV models.

Follow the instructions provided by the service provider to activate and correctly configure the settings. For example, customers may be guided through a configuration process that includes entering a PIN code provided by Sunrise. Additionally, it is advisable to explore the available customization options to tailor the TV experience to your specific needs, such as creating personalized user profiles or selecting favorite channels.

Step-by-step procedure

1. Verify the compatibility of your TV device with the SSR's HBB offer. For example, TVs purchased after 2018 are generally compatible. 2. Ensure you have a remote control with a red button dedicated to accessing HBB features. This button is often labeled with the HBB icon or a similar symbol. 3. Follow the instructions provided by the service provider to activate and configure the HBB settings. For example, customers may be guided through a configuration process that includes entering a PIN code provided by Sunrise. 4. Explore the customization options available to tailor the TV experience to your needs. For example, you can create personalized user profiles or select favorite channels. 5. Use the interactive features and additional services to enhance the viewing experience. For example, customers can access on-demand content or use advanced search features.

Operational checklist

• [ ] Verify TV compatibility
• [ ] Check for the red button on the remote control
• [ ] Follow the configuration instructions provided by Sunrise
• [ ] Explore customization options
• [ ] Use interactive features

Comparison of practical scenarios

For residents of Bellinzona, the integration of the SSR's HBB offer into Sunrise can mean a savings of approximately CHF 10 per month compared to traditional offers. For example, an HBB subscription can cost CHF 29.90 per month, while a traditional subscription can cost CHF 39.90 per month. Additionally, cross-border workers can benefit from additional services such as access to on-demand content and interactive features.

Regulations and important dates

As of January 1, 2023, Swiss regulations require all TV service providers to offer HBB integration options. This means that cross-border workers can expect a wide range of customization options and additional services. Additionally, customers can benefit from special discounts for activating the HBB offer, such as a promotional period of three months at a reduced price.

For more information and assistance, you can contact Sunrise's customer service or visit the official website for more details. Additionally, you can use the cost calculator to compare the available offers and choose the one that best suits your needs.

Source: rsi.ch