MacAvock returns to DVB as Chairman
July 11, 2016
By Colin Mann
Digital TV standards body the DVB has confirmed that Peter MacAvock, currently Head of Delivery, Platforms and Services at EBU Technology & Innovation, has been elected to the role of DVB Chairman. At the 83rd meeting of the Steering Board, MacAvock was chosen to take over from Phil Laven who has served in the position since 2008. MacAvock was DVB Executive Director for 14 years before assuming his current position.
MacAvock takes over at an exciting time for DVB as it engages in the ongoing development of UHDTV with decisions on HDR, HFR and Next Generation Audio; future transmission systems; Study Mission Groups on Virtual Reality; amongst others. With the rising importance of OTT, Hybrid TV, and other methods of delivery, the DVB environment is changing, and DVB will adapt to meet the new challenges the TV industry is currently facing.
DVB continues to be the focal point for the technical development of the core systems used by millions of people around the world to enjoy TV. It is unique in its success at standardizing a set of technologies which meets the demands of an ever changing industry, and in doing so gathers together all the stakeholders and decision makers in the industry.
MacAvock said he looked forward to the challenges ahead, suggesting that chairing the DVB was “a huge honour”. “It remains at the centre of the way we do TV. DVB needs to stand on the shoulders of its past successes to prepare for an exciting future: no small challenge in today’s ever changing environment.”
Laven, a former Technical Director of the European Broadcasting Union, served as Chairman of DVB for the past eight years. During this time, amongst other achievements, he oversaw the introduction of DVB-T2 which was instrumental in bringing HD services to millions of people across five continents.
The members of the Steering Board thanked Laven for his “excellent” leadership of DVB, with his colleagues and friends in DVB extending him their best wishes for the future.