Switzerland

[CH] SRG Granted Digital TV Licence

IRIS 2003-8:1/14

Oliver Sidler

Medialex

On 25 June, the SRG (Swiss public service broadcaster) was granted permission by the Bundesrat (Council of Ministers) to launch terrestrial digital television (DVB-T) in Switzerland. Work to set up the digital network will begin in areas with no or inadequate cable provision. The first broadcasters to use the DVB-T network will launch a service in Tessin this summer; in 2004, large areas of French-speaking Switzerland will be able to receive DVB-T signals and a countrywide network should be up and running by 2009.

The new licence will enable the SRG to create an initial network transmitting four of its own channels. Each language region will receive both channels produced in the relevant language plus one SRG channel from each of the other language regions. The channels will also still be broadcast in analogue form in the corresponding language regions. The date when analogue signals are switched off will be determined by developments in the digital TV market. The Bundesrat turned down the SRG's request that the additional costs of broadcasting both analogue and digital channels during the transition period be funded through a temporary increase in licence fees.

Private broadcasters will also be able to transmit via the first digital network, as long as the technical transmission quality of the four SRG channels is not compromised and the private broadcasters contribute to the transmission costs. Once all the work is completed, ie when four or five networks are established, households in Switzerland will be able to receive up to 20 digital TV channels via roof or indoor aerials.