Digital Terrestrial TelevisionDigital Terrestrial Television
Introduction to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT)
Last Updated (Friday, 01 May 2009 10:54)
Along with many other countries in Europe and elsewhere around the world, Ireland is about to begin switching its free-to-air TV broadcasts – RTÉ1, RTÉ 2, TV3 and TG4 – from analogue to digital. The new Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) broadcasts will be phased in across the country area by area, over a three year period starting in autumn 2009. They will run alongside the existing analogue broadcasts until 2012 when analogue will be permanently switched off.
Read more: Introduction to Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT)
DTT switchover progress report: No progress
Thursday, 26 November 2009 11:21
In written answers to Dáil questions and in a face-to-face meeting with TV Access representatives, the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, has confirmed that there will be no further movement on the DTT rollout until the conclusion of the commercial contractual arrangements between the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland, RTÉ and the OneVision consortium.
TV Access representatives present to Oireachtas Communications committee
Friday, 17 April 2009 14:20
Representatives of the TV Access coalition appeared in front of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Communications on April 2nd, outlining the need for Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) services and consumer equipment to be made affordable and fully accessible.
Read more: TV Access representatives present to Oireachtas Communications committee
US delays switchover because consumers not ready
Thursday, 05 February 2009 10:11
In a move backed by President Obama, the US House of Representatives has voted to delay the nationwide transition from analogue to digital broadcast television by nearly four months. Many consumers are still not prepared for the switchover and the Government has run out of subsidy coupons for the purchase of digital converter boxes.
UK spends less than expected on help scheme, US spends more
Friday, 16 January 2009 15:58
The BBC has said that of the £803m allocated to the digital switchover help and assistance scheme, £250m may remain unspent due to lower than expected takeup of the scheme. However, in the US, higher than expected takeup has outstripped the $1.34bn that was set aside for similar assistance.
Read more: UK spends less than expected on help scheme, US spends more
Publicising the digital switchover
Friday, 05 September 2008 14:58
The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Eamon Ryan, has announced a public information campaign about the digital switchover, to begin in March 2009, in advance of the first launch of digital terrestrial television (DTT). The Minister is right in describing this information campaign as "central to the success of national rollout". A lack of proper information in the UK has caused confusion amongst older and disabled TV viewers, resulting in many of them not availing of the financial help to which they are entitled.