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February 12, 2007 Athens, Greece

February 12, 2007 Athens, Greece. Analogue Shut-off Strategies in Western Europe. Alexander Shulzycki European Broadcasting Union. Main phases of DTT development in Europe

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February 12, 2007 Athens, Greece

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  1. February 12, 2007Athens, Greece Analogue Shut-off Strategies in Western Europe Alexander Shulzycki European Broadcasting Union

  2. Main phases of DTT development in Europe • 1998 to 2002 - emergence and failure of pure pay TV platforms; delays and aborted launch plans; limited, then stagnant growth. • 2002 to 2005 - introduction and success of primarily free-to-air platforms; important role of public broadcasters; emergence of funding controversies; high growth. • 2005 to 2008 - last western European countries launch; mixed models develop; new technology adopted; funding controversies resolved; growth continues but slows • 2008 to 2010 - mature platforms stabilize; HDTV trialed; eastern Europe launches; the approach to analogue switch-off (ASO) refined; several countries achieve ASO; growth dependent on stimulus • 2010 to 2015 - all countries converted; HDTV becomes widespread; mobile TV and interactive applications grow ...

  3. DTT Timetable In Europe sequence by full launch date

  4. ASO Strategies - similarities • Dominant model is a free-to-air platform with some pay elements • ASO date is determined arbitrarily in some cases • All countries are using MPEG-2 (except France for pay chanels) • Marketing and coordination have been recognized as crucial • Public Service Broadcasters play an integral role • Many countries have established economic incentives/support for consumers and broadcasters • Contingency plans are not well developed (publicized?) • Most countries are adopting a region-by-region appoach • need to free up frequencies to extend coverage • limited rate of digital build/upgrade • decentralised regulatory structures • limit risk • learning from mistakes ...

  5. Denmark • There was a soft launch in April 2006 with one multiplex carrying DR, DR2, TV2,; the official ASO date is October 2009. • Two more multiplexes coming on line with pay element • The entire population could be covered in 18 months by 4 multiplexes. Just two regions (Copenhagen and North Jutland) represent 40% national coverage. • A phased ASO will not be necessary and a national switch-over is likely. A few regional trials will probably be conducted first. ...

  6. Finland May be first non-cable country in Europe to achieve national ASO • Target date is August 31, 2007 • Household penetration nearing one half • MUX A, B and C already at 100% coverage • Not implementing region-by-region approach • Determined to convert cable households (must carry rules)

  7. Digital Television Transmissions in Finland A fourth multiplex will be used for mobile purposes. MUX A MUX B MUX C for public service YLE TV1 Sports Ch. MTV3 * Pay-tv, network coverage at least 70% and thus not must carry channels (operating licence held by C More Entertainment (former Canal+ Finland), as of Feb 2005 owned by SBS Broadcasting. YLE TV2 Canal+ 4 channels * SubTV YLE24 Nelonen YLE Teema The Voice ** YLE FST MTV3+ **** Owned by SBS Broadcasting ** Regional *** 4 radio channels Over Turku, Lahti and Kuopio. Nelonen Plus *** 2 radio channels ** Partly pay-tv Data/ MHP-services **** MHP-services Data/MHP-services ”Estradi” for short-term broadcasts using leftover capacity. SexTV.fi max 4 hours/week a relatively limited channel offer

  8. France • France's target for the beginning of the process of digital switchover is 31 March 2010, a date implied by statute. • DTT launched on 31 March 2005 after the CSA licensed 14 FTA channels (now 18), to broadcast using the MPEG-2 compression. • Initial DTT take-up was strong and growth continued in 2006. • Pay TV launched in 2006 with 14 channels. Based on MPEG-4 compression. • 85% coverage is targeted in 2007. Strong growth and an ambitious ASO target.

  9. Germany • The German government took the decision to switch from analogue to terrestrial broadcasts in August 1998, setting a deadline for nationwide conversion to digital of 2010. Actual ASO may be earlier. • The federal government has set national digital switchover policy in co-operation with the governments of the 16 regional Länder. • Adoption of an “island by island” switchover policy with a short simulcast period between the launch of DTT services and complete analogue switch-off. • The Berlin-Brandenburg ASO success set precedent. Included controversial transmission subsidies. • The EC judgment is unlikely to alter the progress of switchover. a complex but well-planned process that should succeed.

  10. Norway • Eleven regions will launch and switch-off in rapid succession over a thirty month period ending in late 2009. • Norway would become the first country in Europe to launch a DTT platform entirely based on advanced compression technology MPEG-4. • All players agree that the biggest threat to success is the delay in availability of MPEG-4 set-top-boxes. • With transmission costs the highest in Europe, Norway is relying on a short simulcast. Model based on advanced compression and strong pay element

  11. Spain • After a 3-year hiatus, Government plans on a new free-to-air DTT platform were adopted in mid-2005. Platform launched end November 2005 and the ASO date has been moved to 2010. • Challenges include the cost and delays of aerial upgrades. Multiplex operators will also have to incur significant costs to digitalise networks to meet coverage targets at switchover. • After switchover, eight national multiplexes are to be allocated as follows: RTVE will be granted two multiplexes; one multiplex will be made available to each of the six national TV operators expected. A high growth scenario based on many free channels

  12. Sweden • A DTT pioneer, Sweden is poised to be among the first to switch off analogue transmissions. By Parliamentary decision, the last analogue transmitter must be switched off no later than 1 February 2008. • ASO already started on 19 September 2005 and will continue on a regional basis until full ASO is achieved. • The digital terrestrial television platform is the fastest growing digital platform in Sweden but remains a predominantly a pay platform. • The EC case against Teracom was dropped in January. model skewed toward pay channels

  13. UK • The success of the free-to-air digital terrestrial television service Freeview encouraged the UK Government’s commitment to digital switchover. • Government policy objectives have been shaped by the need to retain a strong PSB system in the digital age and the desire to let market forces determine future spectrum use. • Switchover criteria require at least 98.5% technical coverage of UK TV homes for all PSB services, corresponding with the 98.5% technical coverage of BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Channel 4/S4C today.

  14. UK • The government will provide minimal subsidy for switchover. The burden will fall on the broadcasters, in particular the BBC. • The Government endorsed a digital switchover timetable drawn up by the telecommunications regulator Ofcom. It will proceed regionally, beginning in late with Border in North West England and ending with London and leaving the Channel Islands to last in early 2013. • Digital UK, a non-profit organisation, was established to guide digital switchover through co-ordinating the activities of different participating sectors in tandem with communications tasks. Digital UK has begun with regional advertising in Border on the basis that it will start three years in advance with each region. Second sets and other devices are targeted for conversion

  15. Household penetration Source: EBU

  16. Digital TV Penetration Scenario in Europe 100% How to spur last phase of growth ? 50% 30% Free TV Pay TV 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 Complete digitalisation in Western Europe Market driven growth may hit a natural ceiling.

  17. THE GENEVA 2006 AGREEMENT A new frequency plan for an all-digital broadcast environment in Bands III (174-230 MHz) and IV/V (470-862 MHz) Analogue switch-off along borders set for 17 June 2015 THE EUROPEAN COMMISSION Supporting a market-led approach to digital switchover Recommends analogue switch-off by 2012 Ensures that EU rules governing competition and state aid upheld Cases in Germany, Sweden, Italy Influence of Brussels and Geneva ...

  18. Italy – In January 2007, the EC ruled that 2004/05 subsidies constituted illegal state aid (Article 87). “...created an undue distortion of competition...” 2006 subsidies OK because platform neutral. Sweden - “The Commission is satisfied that Sweden did not grant Teracom state aid for the switch-over to digital terrestrial television.” Germany – In 2005 the EC ruled that the subsidies worth approximately 4 million granted to commercial broadcasters for the use of the DVB-T network in Berlin-Brandenburg were illegal. (Bavaria and North Rhine-Westphalia are currently under investigation) EC Cases in Italy, Sweden, Germany ...

  19. Funding for the roll-out of a transmission network in areas where otherwise there would be insufficient TV coverage Financial compensation to public service broadcasters for the cost of broadcasting via all transmission platforms in order to reach the entire population Subsidies to consumers for the purchase of digital decoders as long as they are technologically neutral Financial compensation to broadcasters which are required to discontinue analogue transmission before the expiry of their licences, provided this takes account of granted digital transmission capacity When is funding permitted? Acceptable forms of public support, according to 2005 Berlin ruling

  20. Facilitating ASO in Europe • ASO dates should remain flexible and contingent on market conditions, but be fixed at soon as possible. • communications and marketing budgets are inadequate, and lack sufficient coordination. • Financial incentives and other supports promoting ASO may be necessary. • The European Commission may consider creating an environment where Member States are permitted maximum flexibility to implement measures promoting ASO. • Ensure that obligations placed on Public Broadcasters concerning ASO are commensurate with adequate funding ...

  21. ASO timeline in Europe Source: EBU

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