Germany

[DE] Digital Terrestrial TV in Berlin, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt and Thuringia

IRIS 2002-4:1/10

Jan Peter Müßig

Solicitor, Düsseldorf

On 13 February 2002, TV broadcasters ARD, ORB, SFB, ZDF, ProSiebenSat.1 and RTL and the broadcasting regulator in Berlin, Medienanstalt Berlin-Brandenburg (MABB), agreed that all terrestrial television channels received by means of standard aerials should use the digital DVB-T (Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial) format by mid-2003.

DVB-T programmes can be received by means of conventional aerials as long as a decoder (set-top box) is fitted. DVB technology enables viewers to receive a much larger number of channels. Another advantage is the possibility of mobile reception. Apart from the cost of the decoder, the service is free to viewers. However, the changeover to DVB-T means that analogue terrestrial signals will have to be switched off.

The change will also require new provisions to be added to the Rundfunkstaatsvertrag (Inter-State Broadcasting Agreement - RStV). Under para. 52a (2) of the 6. Rundfunkänderungsstaatsvertrag (6th Agreement Amending the RStV, see IRIS 2002-2: 5), public service broadcasters are allowed to fulfil their duty to provide a universal broadcasting service using the whole range of transmission techniques. In particular, para. 52a expressly endorses the abolition of analogue terrestrial broadcasting. The 6. Rundfunkänderungsstaatsvertrag will enter into force on 1 July 2002.

On 18 February 2002, the broadcasting regulators in Saxony (Sächsische Landesanstalt für privaten Rundfunk und neue Medien - SLM), Saxony-Anhalt (Medienanstalt Sachsen-Anhalt - MSA) and Thuringia (Thüringer Landesmedienanstalt - TLM) agreed to move forward together in support of digital television (DVB-T).

The switchover to DVB-T is also planned in other population centres, such as Cologne/Bonn from 2003 and the Ruhr area from 2004. According to a Federal Cabinet decision of 24 August 1998, DVB-T must be introduced nationwide by 2010.