The Migration towards Digital Terrestrial Television: Challenges for Public Policy and Public Broadcasters

Authors

  • Roberto Suárez Candel Researcher and Assistant Lecturer | Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona)

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS11200754

Keywords:

Digital Terrestrial Television, Switch-over, Public Policy, Public Broadcasting Service

Abstract

This paper initially identifies the main transformations of the television system that are caused by digitalization. Its development in several broadcasting platforms is analyzed. Particular obstacles and requirements are detected for each of them. Due to its technical characteristics and its historical link to the public service, the terrestrial network requires migration strategies different from those strictly commercial and public intervention might be needed. The paper focuses on such migration strategies towards DTT and identifies the main issues for public intervention in the areas of the digital scenario: technology, business and market transformation and the reception field. Moreover, the challenges that public broadcasters should confront due to digitalization are described and classified as well. This paper concludes that the leadership of the public broadcasters during the migration towards DTT is an interesting tool for public policy. The need to foster the digitalization of the terrestrial platform and to achieve certain social and public goals besides the market interests brings an opportunity for public institutions and public broadcasters to work together. That leading role could also be positive for the public service to face its necessary redefinition and reallocation within the digital context. A Migração para a Televisão Digital: Desafios para as políticas públicas e para os operadores públicos Este artigo começa por identificar as principais transformações causadas pela digitalização no sistema televisivo, analisando o seu desenvolvimento em várias plataformas de difusão/transmissão, cada uma das quais remetendo para requisitos e obstáculos específicos. Devido às suas características técnicas e à sua ligação histórica ao serviço público, a rede terrestre requer estratégias de migração diferentes das estritamente comerciais, e é muito provável que a intervenção pública seja necessária. O artigo aborda aprofundadamente essas estratégias de migração da rede analógica para a rede digital e identifica os principais aspectos que requerem uma intervenção pública no cenário digital: tecnologia, transformação do negócio e do mercado, e o campo da recepção. Os tipos de desafios que os operadores públicos enfrentam devido à digitalização são descritos e classificados. O artigo conclui que a liderança dos operadores públicos durante a migração para a televisão digital terrestre é um interessante instrumento para a política pública. A necessidade de concretizar a digitalização da plataforma terrestre e de obter determinados resultados públicos e sociais, para além dos interesses do mercado, oferece uma oportunidade para as instituições públicas e os operadores públicos trabalharem em conjunto. Esse papel de liderança do sector público poderá igualmente ser positivo na necessária redefinição e reposicionamento do serviço público de televisão no contexto digital.

Author Biography

Roberto Suárez Candel, Researcher and Assistant Lecturer | Pompeu Fabra University (Barcelona)

For more details about my personal profile, please, visit: www.robertosuarez.es

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Published

2007-05-07

How to Cite

Suárez Candel, R. (2007). The Migration towards Digital Terrestrial Television: Challenges for Public Policy and Public Broadcasters. Observatorio (OBS*), 1(1). https://doi.org/10.15847/obsOBS11200754

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 1 (2007)

Section

Articles

License

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