scope:

This Recommendation defines the high-level architecture for a harmonized set of interactive content formats and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) capable of providing the variety of functionalities required by advanced interactive applications to be delivered over television networks to end-users' homes. This application environment can also be used for downloading purposes, display purposes, network control and security.

This Recommendation is intended to provide the "umbrella" for the work in progress preparing the detailed Recommendations defining the specifications for the application environment for various applications and also the mechanisms provided for future extensions. There will of course be some regional or media-specific requirements, which demand variation from the common structure recommended. However, this "umbrella" Recommendation is intended to encourage and assist continued harmonization of the work in progress in the ITU on the application environment for digital interactive television services.