Greece

[GR] Another Step towards Digital Transition

IRIS 2013-5:1/31

Alexandros Economou

National Council for Radio and Television

A further step towards digital transition was achieved in October 2012 with the publication of a co-ministerial decision containing the Chart of radio frequencies assigned for terrestrial digital transmission of TV programmes as well as conditions for their use. According to this decision, a timetable containing dates for analogue TV switch-off in different regions is to be published. It is almost certain that the date announced last year (30 June 2013, see IRIS 2012-5/26) for the definitive analogue switch-off cannot be achieved.

Although in practice digital transition is progressing among the existing analogue television stations (functioning without a license), Greece has not yet published all the regulatory texts needed for the licensing of digital content providers. Apart from this, no organization has been created to manage and coordinate the switch-over process and there is no strategy for a well-orchestrated and planned migration to HD channels on the DTT platform.

There has also been a significant delay concerning the designation of a new President and three members of the National Council of Radio and Television by a special body of the Parliament. The term of office of these members expired in February 2012 but has been extended four times. New members are expected to begin their work by the end of April 2013. The role of the independent regulatory authority is to organise tenders for content providers, issue licenses and supervise new regulations for digital terrestrial television.