Advanced Television

DTT/DSO

UK broadcasters MoU on Freeview HD

The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five announced that they have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding that, if agreed, would deliver High Definition (HD) channels on Freeview by the projected completion of Digital Switchover in 2012. Potentially from late-2009/2010, BBC HD (see below), ITV HD and Channel 4 HD could all be available on […]

November 22, 2007

Freeview in 14m UK homes

Freeview has confirmed that it is in 14 million UK homes, reinforcing its position as the most popular Digital TV Service. According to Ofcom's latest figures over 80 per cent of people moving away from analogue are opting to buy a Freeview digital box or a digital TV with Freeview built-in.

November 21, 2007

New promo money for Spain DTT

From David Del Valle in Madrid The Ministry of Industry and the Pro DTT Association, ImpulsaTDT, have signed an agreement to invest E6 million in the promotion of DTT to boost the DTT take-up during the Christmas campaign. Both parties will launch joint media campaigns and other marketing (sponsorship of conferences, events, fairs) to raise […]

November 16, 2007

SIDSA breaks into DTT market

Spanish technology company SIDSA is targeting the Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) market to help broadcasters and operators develop cost-effective pay DTT services with a minimum investment. Its KeyFly Conditional Access System (CAS) is protecting the Spanish Football League TV rights in the Middle East and North of Africa within the pay-TV platform, Al Jazeera Sport […]

November 16, 2007

Whitehaven Switch over complete, BBC NAO report

Arqiva has confirm that the second stage of the UK Digital Switch Over in Whitehaven, Cumbria, has been a technical success. Following removal of the BBC Two analogue signal on 17th October, analogue signals for the remaining channels, BBC One, ITV1 and Channel 4, have now been switched off. All three Public Service Broadcast multiplexes […]

November 15, 2007

Spain: 9m DTT by year-end

From David Del Valle in Madrid The rapid take-up of DTT in Spain is boosting the sale of DTT boxes with plans to reach 9 million DTT devices by the end of the year, according to Andres Tejero, CEO of Veo TV. The latest report from the Pro DTT Association Impulsa TDT has revealed that […]

November 8, 2007

RAI plans eight TV channels on DTT platform

From Branislav Pekic in Rome Italian public broadcaster RAI plans launch two new TV channels, as part of its new digital terrestrial TV strategy for the period 2008-2010 that has been approved by the Board of Directors. RAI's future 'core' DTT platform will see the launch of an entertainment channel for young viewers in 2008, […]

November 2, 2007

AB to launch new platform from two satellites

From Sotires Eleftheriou in Paris The AB group is to launch a new digital satellite platform, called Bis Television, to be available simultaneously from the Hotbird and Atlantic Bird 3 satellites. The platform will consist of all (except for the time being M6 and W9 and i-Television) of the free DTT channels, plus a number […]

October 31, 2007

Spain to award a third Regional DTT multiplex

From David Del Valle in Madrid The Spanish Government is to award a third DTT multiplex to those Regional TV stations that need it to extend their coverage to neighbouring Regions. The State Secretary of Telecommunications, Francisco Ros, has announced the measure -still under consideration- meeting the demands of some Regions, such as Valencia, which […]

October 29, 2007

Pay-TV pilot on DTT in Spain

TV producer Mediapro, technology company SIDSA, electronic manufacturer SIEMENS-InOutTV, Consultancy firm SDIdigital and operador Telecom Castilla-La Mancha, along with the Town Council of Alcázar de San Juan, have launched a pay-TV pilot. The six companies are offering a pay-per-view football match from the Italian Football League, as well as successful films from the producers Filmax […]

October 24, 2007