Singapore, Dec 16 – MediaCorp today announced that all seven of its free-to-air TV channels will be broadcast in digital (DVB-T2 format).
In addition, four of the seven channels, namely, Channel 5, Channel 8, Suria and Vasantham, will be broadcast in High Definition (HD).
The remaining three channels, Channel NewsAsia, Channel U and okto, will be upgraded to HD by 2016, it said in a statement.
Residents in Bukit Batok will be the first in Singapore to receive these channels as the estate is now covered by the new digital broadcast infrastructure.
MediaCorp deputy chief executive officer Chang Long Jong said: “Besides better picture and sound quality, digital TV allows MediaCorp to consider rolling out other value-added services and features, for the discerning audience of today, such as closed captions and multi-language sub-titles.
With digital TV, MediaCorp will also be able to offer time-shifted services, which will provide an alternative choice for viewers who miss out on their favourite TV programmes due to work or lifestyle commitments.
Media Development Authority, Director (Digital Broadcasting Deployment Office), Ling Pek Ling, meanwhile said, the world was transitioning from analogue to digital TV.
“Beyond enhancing the TV viewing experience, the migration to digital TV will also free-up scarce radio spectrum for other services such as high-speed mobile Internet access.
“MDA will work closely with our industry and community partners to facilitate a smooth nationwide transition from analogue to digital TV,” she added.
Over the next two to three years, coverage will be expanded progressively to enable all residential homes to receive digital TV signals.
Residents in other estates who currently use outdoor antennas to receive their free-to-air TV channels can also tune in to MediaCorp’s seven digital channels.
The public can continue to receive free-to-air TV channels in analogue broadcast, as the existing analogue TV signals, will continue to be broadcast alongside that of digital TV for at least another two years.
– Bernama
