DigiTAG

Web Letter

March 2010

DigiTAG seeks to inform members and non-members about important developments in the digital terrestrial television market. Each month, DigiTAG distributes its web letter with news updates and further exploration of one topic.

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Completing digital switchover in Spain

On 30 March, over 16.5 million viewers will complete analogue switch-off in Spain. On this date, the analogue services from the transmission towers covering the cities of Barcelona (Collserola), Madrid (Torrespaña), and Seville (Valencina de la Concepción) will be switched off. On 2 April, when the analogue services at a further 6 transmission sites are switched off, Spain will have completed digital switchover.

The digital switchover process began in November 2005 when five national DTT multiplexes were launched for the provision of free-to-air television services to 80% of the population. The launch of a free-to-air DTT platform followed the failure of the pay-DTT platform operator, Quiero TV, to provide a successful service offering when it launched in May 2000.

The success of the DTT platform in Spain since its re-launch in 2005 has been impressive. According to the latest figures published by the organization promoting the DTT platform, Impulsa TDT, DTT penetration reached 83.6% of homes at the end of February 2010. A total of 27.2 million DTT receivers have been sold since 2005 and it is expected that a further 2 million receivers will be sold during the month of March.

DTT coverage has reached 98.61% of the population for public broadcast services and 98.18% of the population for commercial broadcast services, well above the coverage requirements mandated by the government.

Analogue switch-off in three phases

Analogue switch-off is taking place in three phases from June 2009 until April 2010. Each phase is comprised of a certain number of switch-off areas and a date for the completion of the phase. In 2008, an analogue switch-off pilot was undertaken in the province of Soria.

Source: Impulsa TDT

Changes were made during the first phase of analogue switch-off as a result of a government decision to switch-off services using a more gradual approach. Of the planned 32 areas to complete analogue switch-off between June and July 2009, the government decided to slightly delay switch-off in 10 areas since DTT penetration was not deemed sufficient. Nevertheless, in October 2009, the first phase of analogue switch-off was completed.

Although the calendar was slightly shifted, the second phase of analogue switch-off was successfully completed by January 2010. At the end of the second phase, nearly 15 million viewers had completed analogue switch-off, representing more than 32% of the population.

The third phase of analogue switch-off, which began on 10 March 2010, comprises all of the major cities in the country. It is expected to finish on 2 April 2010, one day earlier than the national deadline set by the government. This deadline is expected to be met despite the delays in the first two phases of the analogue switch-off process.

The government does not foresee any major issues during the last phase of analogue switch-off. According to one official, most viewers should have already converted to digital services and will not notice the switch-off of analogue services. However, the government has warned viewers not to panic but rather to take the necessary steps to ensure their preparation.

Satisfaction levels

At the end of November 2009, the government undertook a survey to determine viewer satisfaction with the DTT platform and the analogue switch-off process. According to the survey, respondents gave the DTT platform a rating of 6.6 on a scale of 1 to 10.

In addition, 87% of respondents considered the DTT image quality to be better or equal to the image quality of analogue services while 78% of respondents were satisfied or very satisfied with the level of information available about the analogue switch-off process.

Communications activities

As in other countries, major communications activities have been undertaken to ensure that viewers are aware of digital switchover. While 7 national DTT communication campaigns have been launched (most recently the Qué no te pille el toro! campaign from last Christmas), much of the communication activities have focused on local activities in the area preparing for switch-off.  Information is available through various websites, a national call centre has been set up, advertisements have run in broadcast and print media and inserts have been over-laid on analogue programmes informing viewers about the date for analogue switch-off in their area.  

Government officials have worked closely with local administrations. Information has been made available during official “analogue switch-off” days as well as at markets and other local events. In cities with a population of 30,000 or more residents, information centres have been set up. In order to reach out to older viewers, information has also been posted in health centres, banks, and senior citizen centres. The government estimates that in the past two years, 9.5 million information brochures have been distributed and 20,000 advertisements have been placed in the media. 

The preparation of communal antennas to receive digital services has been a major concern for the government and specific efforts have been made to inform viewers about the need to upgrade existing antennas. Currently, the government estimates that 1.2 million collective antennas have been prepared for digital television.

Costs of digital switchover

The government estimates that as of March 2009, a total of €12 billion will have been spent on digital switchover by the government, broadcasters and viewers.  Government activities have included communications campaigns, low-interst loans for the roll-out of DTT networks, and targeted funding for the regions.

The benefits of digital switchover to the Spanish economy have also been estimated. According to the government, digital switchover has created more than 40,000 new jobs and benefited 10,000 companies in the broadcast industry.

Making new services available

Three months after the completion of analogue switch-off, and with the accord of the government, each of the major broadcasters will be allocated a full multiplex for the provision of DTT services. In addition, the public service broadcaster RTVE will be allocated 2 multiplexes. At this stage, it is not known what new DTT services will be made available to viewers.

However, the government is expected to soon issue a Royal Decree allowing broadcasters to offer HDTV services on the DTT platform. Several HD trials are currently ongoing across Spain. In addition, broadcasters may choose to offer pay services on the DTT platform which the government has permitted since last August. Already, one such service is available from the broadcaster Mediapro and it is expected that other commercial broadcaster may also do so. Mediapro has announced that it plans to increase its pay-DTT service offering as well as offer an additional free-to-air television programme service in standard-definition.

Source: Natalie Mouyal, DigiTAG Project Office

About DigiTAG

DigiTAG aims to encourage and facilitate the implementation and introduction of digital terrestrial television services using the Digital Video Broadcasting Project's Standard (DVB-T). It has some 60 members from broadcasting, network operators, regulatory, and manufacturing organisations throughout Europe and beyond.

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