SOS
23 April 2010
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DTT is digital versus analogue transmission
Terrestrial rather than satellite
Compresses channels so can fit more on one
frequency
Multi-channel
Digital not analogue – means can have
electronic programme guide, e-government,
different languages turned on
Production
STB
TV
International Telecommunications Union has
resolved that in this region analogue television
frequencies will not be protected anymore after
2015
 This is to free up frequencies for new services
 Both more channels for SA and other broadband
services
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The Digital Dividend
The Digital Dividend
Multi-channel
Better quality pictures and sound
Possibilities of high definition tv
Interactivity (with or without return
path)
PROS
• More channels
•More choice for public
•Better able to meet mandates
•Bouquets for specific interests
•Quality can be controlled per
channel or per event
CONS
• No signal in marginal areas
• More channels means less
viewers per channel?
• Complexity of decoders
• Migration is expensive – STBs
for public, new
transmitters/upgrades, new
equipment in broadcasters
(compression technology,
multiplexing)
Content Production,
Packaging and
Programming
 Broadcasters need to
digitize archives, studios,
and production networks
Signal Distribution
and Transmission
Transmitter Network rollout
During migration double
transmission costs
Signal Reception
and Devices
All viewers will need STB to be
able to watch
Broadcasters will need to
develop and test new
DTT channels
DTT migration therefore requires the co-operation of
multiple stakeholders
2005:
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Minister sets up Digital Migration Working
Group (DMWG)
Includes all industry players
2006
DWMG submits recommendations to Minister
“That government should establish a
joint body with industry to develop an
action plan for the switch-off of
analogue television broadcasting, to
monitor the switchover process and
promote consumer awareness”.
2007
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Cabinet announces in Feb digital signal will be
switched on 1 Nov 2008 – switched off 1 Nov 2011
Dual illumination – when both
signals are running at same time to
give audiences time to get STBs
and switch
Three year “dual illumination period”
2007 cont…
 April: Govt issues draft policy and strategy doc - Asks for
comment within two weeks as urgent
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May Budget speech Minister announces Digital Dzonga and
appoints chairperson (But…only in next budget speech
details other players who will sit on Council)
Includes broadcasters, signal distributors, unions, consumer
bodies….
Responsible for “consumer awareness and education, liaison
with the regulator and monitoring of implementation “
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August (almost 18 months after urgent draft
policy is launched)….
Digital Migration policy is announced
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Nov – DTT is “launched” – but actually a
pilot to about 1 000 viewers
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June: Digital Dzonga launched and conformance
scheme (digital tick)
July: STB standards set by SABC
DoC issues digital content draft strategy
DoC issues draft STB manufacturing strategy
and holds conference
July: ICASA issues regulations (outlining what
broadcasters will be required to do)
ICASA withdraws regulations after challenge (etv and Nafcoc)
ICASA issues frequency plan
DG says still switch off 1 Nov 2011
Says STB manufacturing strategy will be issued
Says subsidy scheme before Cabinet
Digital Dzonga dissolved and calls for
nomination for new members
 Says are reviewing standard (DVB-T or
Brazilian/Japanese model)
 Feb: ICASA issues new regulations
 Minister calls for nominations for SA Broadcast
Production Advisory Committee
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Repeats switch on 1 Nov 2008
Switch off 1 Nov 2011
Phased increase in transmission coverage
On 1 Nov major urban centres (50% of
population)
By 2010 80% coverage
Promised by switch off everyone will be able
to receive
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All existing terrestrial tv channels will be
accommodated during dual illumination
period
 SABC
 E-tv
 M-Net
No new players licensed during dual illumination
Digital Content Generation Hubs will be developed
Recognises need capacity
But When?
Any financial support?
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STB’s : R700
5 million will not be able to afford this
Government subsidy “Scheme for Ownership
Support (SOS):
 70% of cost for those on government grants
 Estimated 5million people
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One multiplex for SABC (with 10% for Trinity
Broadcasting Network)
E-tv and M-Net will share other multiplex
ICASA will decide on date when broadcasters
must go digital
Analogue will be switched off 3 years after
that date
Says will be public hearings on applications
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Does not state how many channels each
broadcaster will get – BUT allocates space on
multiplex
SABC 100% of Multiplex 1 (about 10)
E-tv 50% of Multiplex 2
M-Net 40% Multiplex 2
Will simulcast existing channels – plus have
digital incentive channels
3/4s of SABC channels must be public (not
public commercial)
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ICASA says will review SA content policies
In interim abide by existing – but can apply
for exemption for niche channels
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Need clear rules on subsidy system
Need to know how will roll-out
Need massive awareness campaign
Need to have campaigns to show how to use
STB
Need policies to ensure affordability…
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Need to review entire broadcasting policy
and legislation (Bill???)
 laws – SABC public and public commercial
 Says certain channels? Is that what we want?
 Don’t licence channels anymore – but Bill muddles
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Need to review funding for public
broadcasting
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Local content – but no difference between
digital content and tv content
Need more!
Must carry rules for public broadcasting
“There are numerous standards for digital broadcasting in
use across the world. After significant technical evaluation
and specific consideration of South Africa's unique market
requirements, this Policy adopts the following technical
standards for type approval by ICASA and for use by
industry:
 5.1.3.1 DVB-T (EN 300 744) is adopted as the national
standard for terrestrial digital television broadcasting in
South Africa. DVB is reported to be the fastest growing
DTT platform in Europe and other parts of the world.
Many governments have started to plan for analogue
switch-off and DVB- T has become the de facto standard,
which has been adopted by the whole of the ITU Region 1
comprising Europe, Middle East and Africa.”
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Latin America …..Due to the low cost of DVB-T set-top boxes
(STBs), the standard was expected to achieve near ubiquitous
deployment across the region. However, Brazil's SBTVD-T
standard and Mexico's use of ATSC have spearheaded a
movement away from DVB-T.
Given that a DVB-T STB can be purchased for as little as $30
and an ATSC STB for around $40, Brazil's and Peru's use of
SBTVD-T with its $120 STBs is surprising, considering the
price sensitive nature of Latin America.
Screen Digest – Global Media Intelligence May 2009
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During Dual illumination – SABC 1,2,3 plus up
to seven more channels
Radio
Can better meet mandate – language, specialist
channels…
Funding????
After dual illumination ?????????
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Costs?
Funding?
Less advertising per channel?
Fragmentation of audiences?