Digital TV on hold
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.BRITAIN's launch of digital terrestrial television this autumn could be delayed because of a dispute with Belgium and France over the use of frequencies to broadcast the service. The Government needs approval from France and Belgium, among other Continental countries, to set up the 80 or so transmitters across the UK to broadcast digital terrestrial TV, since the sitescould interfere with services in Europe. And governments must first agree on frequencies.
The change to digital is expected to be as revolutionary asthe change from black-and-white to colour TV. But the commercial end of digital terrestrial TV, to be operated by British Digital Broadcasting, a joint venture between Carlton Communications and Granada Group, has become mired in technology and legal battles with satellite rival British Sky Broadcasting Group.
The frequencies battle would affect not only BDB, but also the ITV network and the BBC, which want to offer services in digital format as well. As many as 300 channels of pay-TV will be available by next year, with BDB broadcasting about 15 new digital pay-TV channels to UK homes using existing antenna.
Carlton and Granada agreed in January to invest pounds 300m in developing the new service, and BDB will become the first real pay-TV rival to British SkyBroadcasting Group, in which Rupert Murdoch's News Corp owns a 40 per cent stake. BSkyB also has separate plans to introduce as many as 200 channels of satellite digital television, starting next month.
Digital terrestrial TV uses ground-based technology that will gradually replace traditional analog TV systems. Huge growth in mobile communications systems is driving a need to free up radio frequencies. The new TV system will release existing analog frequencies while providing more capacity for television channels.
BDB could gain access to the 75 per cent of UK homes that do not receive analog subscription-based satellite TV services. The US, Finland and Sweden are also planning digital terrestrial TV.
Copyright: IOS & Bloomberg
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments