As the 4K content offering remains relatively limited, French TV regulatory body CSA has dismissed the prospect of a full switchover of the DTT network to the DVB-T2/HEVC by 2024.

This week the CSA launched a public consultation that aims to establish a consensus on what is needed to modernise the DTT network in metropolitan France and prepare the introduction of 4K as well as the development of interactive functions.

The CSA is notably promoting the improvement of image and sound quality based first on the launch of an advanced content offering in UHD native or upgraded HD launched parallel to the existing DTT network. In the short-term, the objective would be to make DTT more attractive and push viewers to buy compatible TV sets adapted to the new standards.

This goal would be achieved either by introducing a seventh DVB-T2/HEVC multiplex, or by gathering the existing HD DTT offerings on five multiplexes and leaving the sixth one available for DVB-T2/HEVC demo content.

“The UHD switchover of the DTT network is largely conditioned to the penetration of compatible devices into French TV homes first,” the CSA said.

The call for the public consultation will be open until February 2020.

Categories: Articles, Broadcast, UHD