Creative applications will require to access functions of the receiver device. An iTV platform should therefore offer a software interface, the so-called Application Programming Interface (API). Professional iTV platforms offer APIs for the following areas:

• Input devices: Remote control, infrared keyboard, pointer
• Media outputs: Television, video clips, audio clips, images
• TV programme selection
• Access to programme information
• Synchronisation with the television signal
• Deferred television and trick modes (e.g. fast-forward)
• VoD, recording, playback
• Local storage
• Access to internet services
• Applications portals
• Access to encryption systems
• Timers and system time
• Access to system settings and system status
• Multi-threading