Advanced Television

Italy has 413 national TV channels

July 8, 2016

By Branislav Pekic in Rome

A total of 413 national TV channels were broadcast in Italy by 110 media groups (67 Italian and 43 international) in June 2016, according to a report by the association of Italian radio and TV broadcasters (Confindustria Radio TV).

The figure relates to TV channels on national DTT multiplexes, on the Sky Italia and Mediaset Premium pay-TV platforms, and on the TivùSat DTH free-to-air platform. It also takes into account the time-shifted channels, HD versions, PPV services and so-called temporary channels.

Of the total, 170 (41 per cent) are available free-to-air on DTT and TivùSat, while 243 are pay-TV services, mainly included in the Sky Italia package.

Satellite channels prevail (283), while the number of terrestrial channels amounts to 130. There are 99 HD channels (32 per cent of the total), while one channel broadcasts content in 3D.

Over 70 per cent of HD channels are only available to pay-TV subscribers via satellite, although the number of free-to-air HD channels has grown by 33 per cent, to the current 25 (DTT+DTH).

Italy has a total of 43 VoD services provided by both Italian FTA and pay-TV broadcasters, as well as by leading international players.

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