Web and TV convergence looks set to dominate this year’s IBC, with the likes of TV app development company Easel TV exhibiting at the show for the first time.

The IBC organisers said the show’s dedicated Connected World area would have 88 exhibitors and would be twice as big as last year, when it was launched.

Easel TV chief operating and commercial officer Bill Scott said he expected a lot of interest in platforms that make it easy for broadcasters to publish content on connected TVs.

According to research firm Informa, there will be 47 million connected TVs in the UK by 2016.

“Last year, there weren’t many connected TVs out there. Now it’s harder to buy one that isn’t connected,” Scott said.

Easel TV, which counts TiVo among its biggest clients, developed apps for the release of the latest Harry Potter film and V Festival. It is set to make an announcement at IBC about a new project it is working on for Virgin Media.

Tom Weiss, chief executive of TV Genius, which is also exhibiting in the Connected World hall, said he expects to see more social net-working capability on connected TVs, highlighting a Facebook TV guide and Twitter tracking as two areas with potential.

BBC Research and Development will showcase the EU-funded NoTube project at IBC. NoTube explores the use of second screens, social web activity and personalised TV programme recommendations.

Connected World, Hall 13