Ofcom consults on new multiplex licence rules
Media regulator Ofcom has launched a consultation on plans to add new conditions to digital terrestrial multiplex licences and digital television programme service licences ahead of digital switchover. Ofcom said the aim of the new conditions was to "ensure that the multiplex operators and holders of DTT service licences are under clear duties to cooperate with, and participate in, the complex process of digital switchover in the public interest".
The new conditions will oblige the public service digital terrestrial multiplex operators (Digital 3 and 4 Limited—owned by ITV and Channel 4—operating multiplex 2, and BBC Free to View Limited, operating multiplex B) to broadcast at digital switchover from an increased number of sites.
"The aim is that by 2012 DTT coverage of the PSB multiplexes should be around 98.5% of the population," said Ofcom.
The commercial multiplex operators (ITV, operating multiplex A, and National Grid Wireless, operating multiplexes C and D) will be able to achieve around 90% coverage when power levels for DTT transmission are increased at switchover, said Ofcom.
"These licence holders are presently under a duty to broadcast from 80 sites and Ofcom proposes that this obligation should be unchanged at DSO (digital switchover) subject to the following: if the holders of commercial multiplex licences wish to broadcast from more than these 80 sites, they must inform Ofcom by the close of this consultation by making an unconditional commitment to adopt such sites.
"Ofcom will then consider whether to vary their licences to include additional sites, broadcasting from which at DSO would then become a duty."
Ofcom wants DTT service licence holders to "co-operate with the main parties involved in the administration, organisation or implementation of digital switchover in the UK".
The deadline for responses is September 27.
Regards Satdude.
Media regulator Ofcom has launched a consultation on plans to add new conditions to digital terrestrial multiplex licences and digital television programme service licences ahead of digital switchover. Ofcom said the aim of the new conditions was to "ensure that the multiplex operators and holders of DTT service licences are under clear duties to cooperate with, and participate in, the complex process of digital switchover in the public interest".
The new conditions will oblige the public service digital terrestrial multiplex operators (Digital 3 and 4 Limited—owned by ITV and Channel 4—operating multiplex 2, and BBC Free to View Limited, operating multiplex B) to broadcast at digital switchover from an increased number of sites.
"The aim is that by 2012 DTT coverage of the PSB multiplexes should be around 98.5% of the population," said Ofcom.
The commercial multiplex operators (ITV, operating multiplex A, and National Grid Wireless, operating multiplexes C and D) will be able to achieve around 90% coverage when power levels for DTT transmission are increased at switchover, said Ofcom.
"These licence holders are presently under a duty to broadcast from 80 sites and Ofcom proposes that this obligation should be unchanged at DSO (digital switchover) subject to the following: if the holders of commercial multiplex licences wish to broadcast from more than these 80 sites, they must inform Ofcom by the close of this consultation by making an unconditional commitment to adopt such sites.
"Ofcom will then consider whether to vary their licences to include additional sites, broadcasting from which at DSO would then become a duty."
Ofcom wants DTT service licence holders to "co-operate with the main parties involved in the administration, organisation or implementation of digital switchover in the UK".
The deadline for responses is September 27.
Regards Satdude.