Digital TV Channels Set To Multiply

Raymond Snoddy reports in today’s Financial Times that Imedia, an American company, is offering to treble the number of channels available via British digital terrestrial television.

Originally, land-based digital TV was only expected to broadcast 30 channels. There were worries that it would be unable to compete with satellite and cable services offering over 200 channels. Initially, each of the six multiplexes could broadcast between 4 and 6 channels. With the new software, however, each digital multiplex could have 15 or more channels.

…..The ITC has published the first draft of the Statement of Principles on Qualifying and Multiplex Revenue.

This document sets out the definition of qualifying revenue, principally advertising, subscription and sponsorship income, and the administrative arrangements that enable the ITC to estimate and subsequently determine such revenue.

Copies of the draft document are available from;

Sheila Cassells,

Director of Finance

Independent Television Commission

Kings Worthy Court

Kings Worthy

Winchester

Hampshire SO23 7QA

The ITC invites all interested parties for their comments on the draft document by Friday 21 February 1997. Comments are to be sent to the above address.