DirecTV goes for Hybrid in Argentina
September 13, 2011
By Chris Forrester
DirecTV is to supply a hybrid receiver and satellite set-top box for its Argentinean viewers. The idea is to supply a DTT tuner in order to receive terrestrial signals alongside DirecTV’s portfolio of satellite transmissions.
Argentine Página 12 newspaper states that DirecTV is already testing the device that will also be installed together with its current STBs and that integrates channels directly into the unit’s EPG. The retail/subscriber cost of the device has not been unveiled yet. Argentina’s DTT system (SATVD-T in Spanish) currently beams out 15 channels, though reception depends on regional coverage areas.
“Our idea is to be able to offer our clients the greatest and best quality programming content available in the market”, Guillermo Delfino, DirecTV Argentina Commercial VP, told Página 12. “There will be more and better channels included in Digital TV, and DTT provides us with the possibility to rely on these channels without increasing satellite space, which is currently very limited,” he added. However, DirecTV PanAmericana (which includes Argentina) has already leased extra Intelsat on-board satellite capacity of two satellites that will be launched in 2014 and 2015.