Today’s Sunday Business Post features an article I wrote on the upcoming DTT trial and the possible inclusion of British and European broadcasters in it:
Ireland’s DTT (digital terrestrial television) trial may include a number of British television channels alongside Irish broadcasters when it starts later this year, The Sunday Business Post can reveal.
The Department for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources, which is in charge of the project, is looking for applications for the provision of visual, audio and interactive content for the two-year trial, which is due to start in autumn.
Documentation published by the department (.doc file) states that all providers must have the relevant licences to broadcast their content when the trial begins.
This was originally considered to apply only to Broadcasting Commission of Ireland (BCI) radio and television licences. However a spokesman for the department confirmed that broadcasters licensed in any jurisdiction covered by the Television Without Frontiers directive would also have to meet the requirements for the purpose of the trial.
This means that television broadcasters from any EU state are free to apply and, if successful, provide content to DTT viewers in Ireland.
As an application process is still taking place, it is unclear what channels will feature on the trial. However, Ireland’s four terrestrial stations – RTE1, RTE2, TV3 and TG4 – are guaranteed to be carried. It is expected that the country’s other national channels – Setanta Sports and Channel 6 – will also apply. Both of these stations are available on cable or digital networks only.
After the trial is completed in 2008 it is expected that a national DTT network will be constructed to carry the service to all Irish homes. While the upcoming trial will only be available to viewers in Dublin and Louth, it is expected to form the basis of any future service, so early involvement could give broadcasters an advantage in the coming years.
When asked if UTV intended to make an application to the trial, a spokesman said that the station was currently ‘‘investigating the requirements’’.
The channel is regulated in the North by British broadcasting watchdog Ofcom, but is available to about 60 per cent of homes in the Republic via cable. It has also put significant resources into expanding its viewership across the island in recent years.
The inclusion of UTV in the trial could create issues for TV3, however, as both stations provide largely similar content.
TV3 has in the past fought attempts by UTV to become available on the Sky Digital electronic programming guide in Ireland, as it felt it could damage its rating figures and advertising revenue.
British Sky Broadcasting (BSkyB) was also unable to confirm its plans for DTT in Ireland. ‘‘We note the recent publication by the Department of Communications in respect to the possible DTT trial and we are currently reviewing our options,” said a spokesman for the company.
BSkyB is already involved with British DTT service Freeview and broadcasts Sky News, Sky Sports News and Sky Three across that network.
Should the company take part in an Irish version of Freeview it is possible that a similar service would be provided.
BSkyB has also taken a bigger interest in Irish viewers in recent years, most notably with the broadcaster’s Ireland-focused daily news programme on its rolling news network.
Theoretically, other EU broadcasters could also apply.
Poland’s TVP network is already watched by many foreign nationals in the country and is now being carried by Magnet Entertainment in its Polish package.
When the trial commences, the department will provide 1,000 digital television set-top boxes to selected viewers as part of its testing. Feedback from these viewers will be used to judge if the trial is successful or not and will provide information to help decide what changes need to be made before a national launch.
Anyone in the broadcast area with their own equipment will also be able to receive the broadcasts, however they will not be included in the official test.
The move is common sense, the viability of a 6 station (RTÉ One & Two, TV3, TG4, Setanta and Channel 6) DTT service along with radio stations is somewhat unappealing, the inclusion of at least some of the UK services would likely increase interest, especially if the cost base of the service is the same as in Britain.
It also opens corridors for channels of interest to foreign nationals in the country too which is sure to be mutually beneficial for the Irish Government, the public and the stations in question.