Growing pains? The transition to digital television in Europe

This article argues that national policies for digital television (DTV) are largely determined by markets, political contexts and supra-national influences, notably European Union (EU) audiovisual policy, which puts pressure on member states to speed up digital switchover. This creates a tension bet...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:	European journal of communication (London) 2011-03, Vol.26 (1), p.3-17
Main Author:	Iosifidis, Petros
Format:	Article
Language:	eng
Subjects:	Broadcasting Communication research Digital broadcasting Digital technology Digital television Europe European Union Information technology Management Markets Media policy National policies Policy co-ordination Public services Television Universalism
Online Access:	Request full text
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Summary:	This article argues that national policies for digital television (DTV) are largely determined by markets, political contexts and supra-national influences, notably European Union (EU) audiovisual policy, which puts pressure on member states to speed up digital switchover. This creates a tension between the push of the EU to harmonize the switchover process and set target dates and the struggle of some of the countries to comply with this policy. In terms of the strategies that could be employed to accelerate digital uptake, the article points to setting a prompt date for analogue switch-off, subsidizing the relevant equipment to receive DTV, offering triple play services, ensuring active management to complete conversion effectively and, above all, adopting free-to-view DTV. The wide reach free-to-air model, in which public broadcasters have a leading role, ensures that the universality principle is maintained in the digital age. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]
ISSN:	0267-3231 1460-3705