DTT Becomes Branded The Digital Network

The numerous companies involved in the launch of digital terrestrial television (DTT) are to be bundled together under the umbrella brand name The Digital Network.

As a number of services and channels start to launch later this year, the industry is concerned that the consumer will be ‘confused’ by the more complicated term digital terrestrial television; the term will also bundle neatly together all the companies involved in the platform’s launch: BBC and Flextech (UKTV), ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5, S4C Digital Networks (SDN) and British Digital Broadcasting (BDB), a collaboration between Carlton and Granada. Digital satellite and digital cable broadcasting are not included in The Digital Network.

BDB, which is also poised to unveil a new brand name and logo, is believed to be in talks with U.S. broadcaster Viacom with a view to carrying its channels on the BDB service. Although BDB would not confirm this, a spokesperson for the company said that it was currently in talks with a number of interested parties.

Should BDB buy in more third party channels than were originally outlined in its application for the licence, the company would have to consult the Independent Television Commission for approval. BDB is also likely to be interested in gaining use of the spare frequencies on the SDN multiplex offered by Channel 5 recently (subscribers see Channel 5 To Offer Surplus Digital Frequencies).

British Digital Broadcasting: 0171 819 8000