[opendtv] France reserves three HD channels on DTT
- From: "Manfredi, Albert E" <albert.e.manfredi@xxxxxxxxxx>
- To: <opendtv@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 18 May 2007 15:49:17 -0400
A different attitude south of the Channel. A legacy of Marie Antoinette
and her legendary quote, perhaps?
Bert
--------------------------------------------------
http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?class=countries&subclass=0&id=2439
France reserves three HD channels on DTT
French media regulator the Conseil Superieur De l'audiovisuel (CSA) is
inviting tenders for two new high-definition television (HDTV) channels
on the country's digital terrestrial television (DTT) platform. The
French culture ministry has also reserved capacity for a third HD
offering on DTT-that will go to a public service broadcaster. The move
comes as Italy plans to introduce HD simulcasts as part of their DTT
plans, and follows the launch in Spain's Catalonia region of trial HD
DTT broadcasts in April.
The French media regulator's approach contrasts with the stance taken by
its UK counterpart, Ofcom, which was backed this week by the Commons
culture committee. In their report, New Media and Creative Industries,
MPs said Ofcom was right not to endorse "any particular technology or
application in the framework being drawn up for re-allocation of
spectrum under the digital dividend review (DDR)".
Ofcom announced in December that it favoured an auction of the entire
spectrum on the grounds that the regulator was not best placed "to
decide which services should get access to spectrum". Ofcom is now
considering responses to a consultation which closed in March, and last
month Ofcom CEO Ed Richards said the regulator would conduct more
research into viewers' expectations of HDTV before reaching a final
conclusion.
The French regulator's move followed a surge in take-up of HD-ready TVs.
"The French digital terrestrial television public will be able to view
the Roland Garros tennis tournament in HD as well as the other major
world sporting events that are now universally covered in HD, including
the London Olympics. This move to broadcast in HD means France has leapt
ahead of the UK, reserving HD for public service broadcasters and in
response to consumer demand," said Steve Dowdle, CEO at Sony UK, a
member of the HD for All Alliance.
"Ten million citizens have already invested in Freeview and every
household in the UK is paying for digital switchover by investing in
digital television. This consumer investment which will allow the
airwaves to be freed in the first place must be recognised by universal
access to HD services," he added.
Lovelace Consulting 18.05.2007
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You can UNSUBSCRIBE from the OpenDTV list in two ways:
- Using the UNSUBSCRIBE command in your user configuration settings at
FreeLists.org
- By sending a message to: opendtv-request@xxxxxxxxxxxxx with the word
unsubscribe in the subject line.
Other related posts:
