Spain: green light for pay- DTT
August 12, 2009
From David del Valle in Madrid
In common with other European countries, Spain is to have pay-DTT services on its digital terrestrial TV platform, with the first ones likely to be launched by the end of this month, coinciding with the beginning of the Spanish 'La Liga' football .
The Government has approved a Royal Decree allowing nationwide TV broadcasters to distribute pay-DTT services through one of their DTT channels. From April 2010, when digital switchover is completed, each nation wide TV network will operate one multiplex (five TV channels) with RTVE with two. Most broadcasters on the DTT platform have already requested a licence to be able to offer pay services.
The Government's decision has been taken on the grounds that pay DTT "was necessary and urgent" and that it will help "a greater DTT introduction" opening "new business opportunities", according to the Vice president of the Government, Maria Teresa Fernandez de la Vega. It is estimated that pay DTT will generate a business of E5 billion over the next years…………………………………………