Nation building through
strong local media
The future of TV is digital.
Last year marked another significant milestone for Singapore's broadcasting journey. On 16 December 2013, MediaCorp began transmitting all seven free-to-air (FTA) TV channels in digital format using the DVB-T2 (Digital Video Broadcasting – Second Generation Terrestrial) broadcasting standard. The existing analogue TV signals will continue to be broadcast alongside the digital TV (DTV) signals, until Singapore’s full transition to DTV. Over the next two to three years, the DTV network, which was first rolled out to the estate of Bukit Batok, will be progressively rolled out to the rest of Singapore.
The transition to DTV is a worldwide phenomenon to enhance the TV viewing experience and free up scarce frequencies for new services. Together with other ASEAN countries, Singapore plans to complete the transition to DTV between 2015 and 2020.
To prepare Singaporeans for the migration to DTV, MDA and MediaCorp launched a campaign to generate awareness about the DTV switchover. This was done through TV interstitials in all four languages, radio messages, bus-stop shelter and newspaper advertisements. Members of the public can also visit websites of MDA and MediaCorp to find out more about the transition to DTV.
MDA also unveiled plans to help eligible low-income households make a smooth transition to DTV with a DTV Assistance Scheme, comprising a DVB-T2 digital set-top box, an indoor antenna, and installation service. The Scheme will be launched in the second half of 2014. In addition, MDA will work with grassroots leaders and voluntary welfare organisations to reach out to the elderly and people with disabilities to prepare them for the DTV switchover.
(Photo courtesy of Ministry of Communications and Information)
To enable ground staff from retail outlets to communicate effectively to consumers on DTV options, MDA has also conducted training workshops for sales staff. Members of the public can identify these trained sales staff by the Digital Advisor tags that they are wearing. In addition, consumers can learn more about DTV through video, posters, and brochures available at retail stores, and identify DVB-T2 compliant equipment, receivers or integrated DTVs through the DTV consumer labels.