Abstract
Currently, the combination of broadcast and broadband (hybrid) networks for
delivering hybrid media content is a reality, motivated by the large amount and diversity of
media content, together with the ubiquity and the variety of connectivity technologies
available in the current consumption devices. The use of Smart TVs and companion
secondary devices (e.g., tablets, smartphones
) is significantly growing, enabling
personalized and enriched media experiences by exploiting the new social communication
opportunities. Likewise, the media consumption paradigm is evolving from lonely consumer
experiences to group shared experiences. Users can share media experiences while being
either physically together or geographically separated. In such a context, media
synchronization is a key requirement to guarantee a good users perceived QoE (Quality of
Experience). This paper summarizes the results of a research study focused on collecting
the preferences, needs, opinions and expectations of Spanish users about several use
cases, in which some kinds of media synchronization are necessary. Such results will help to
determine what needs to be developed, offered and improved in the near future in order to
successfully provide truly interactive and distributed media services with synchronization
demands.