International policy preferences, technological standard-setting and digital television

Authors

  • María Trinidad García Leiva Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS542011521

Keywords:

competition, cooperation, digital switchover, television

Abstract

This article looks into the case of digital television and international policy preferences for technological standard-setting aiming to contribute to literature on international regulatory competition and cooperation. It argues that the initial development of standards can be understood as the result of an international race to the top with states and companies as key drivers. When the US, Japan and the EU decided to “conquer the world” with their ATSC, ISDB and DVB standards, respectively, and many waves of countries embarked on digital television, the race became global. Many states have been therefore forced to raise technical standards because of external pressure but key domestic actors and motivations are also part of the complete picture. More specifically, policy preferences in Latin America can be explained too as the product of a race fostered by firms and states, though regulatory competition gave place to a cooperative turnaround that led to new and unexpected associations.

Author Biography

María Trinidad García Leiva, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid

Department of Journalism and Audiovisual Communication Member of the research group TECMERIN

Downloads

Published

2011-11-14

How to Cite

García Leiva, M. T. (2011). International policy preferences, technological standard-setting and digital television. Observatorio (OBS*), 5(4). https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS542011521

Issue

Section

Articles