Television's Next Generation is Here
High Definition programming is not coming - it's already here. Since the
start of 2004 Euro 1080 has been broadcasting a daily schedule of music
and sports in the HDTV format. But it doesn't stop there. French satellite
platform TPS has plans to launch a dedicated HDTV channel, while in
Germany, Premiere screened the 2004 Superbowl to the growing base of
HDTV receivers.
European governments face a crucial decision as they consider the
timetable for analogue switch-off. Should terrestrial capacity be offered to
existing DTT broadcasters to expand and improve their coverage or should
space be set aside for the launch of new high definition services?
This TV Conferences event follows on from the sucessful So You Want to
Start Broadcasting? event held at BAFTA in January.Our expert speakers
will tell you how terrestrial, cable, satellite and other digital platforms
should prepare for the widespread deployment of HDTV. You'll be able to
benefit from the experience of panellists the US, Japanese and Australian
markets that have already introduced the format.
Technical experts will explain the differences between the different delivery
and display systems in plain English under the watchful eye of our
seasoned moderators.
We'll tell you what you need to prepare and improve your readiness for the
Next Generation of Television.
By 2008 it is expected that the EMEA region will account for
approximately 4.7 million HDTVs shipped, or about 15% of total worldwide
shipments. [IMS Research]. The study says global HDTV display
shipments will grow to over 33 million units by 2008, up from just over 4.3
million units in 2002.
Analogue transmissions, across Europe, will come to an end. It is
just a question of when. Governments need to act now to ring-fence the
‘old’ analogue frequencies in order to safely transition to high-definition.
Carlton International in London says it is ready for HD, and is
converting most of its key film assets – the 6th largest library in the world
- into high-def. Carlton has licensed many of its key assets to US-based
Rainbow’s ‘Voom’ 20-channel bundle of HD satellite channels.
German pay-service Premiere transmitted January’s American
‘Superbowl’ NFL event in unencrypted High Definition to a select number
of viewers with suitable receivers. Viewers could tune in to the Panthers
vs Patriots game with a German commentary or the original American
commentary. Astra carried the live telecast.
French pay-TV platform TPS is looking closely at launching a
stand-alone HD channel in 2006, possibly sports-based and under the
Eurosport banner, and might well cover special HD events in the
meantime.
Europe’s first HD channel, Euro1080, is targeting 100,000 viewing
homes by the end of this year and has committed to 100,000 Irdeto
cards, 50,000 of which are already ‘sold’ to Euro1080’s technical or
promotional partners in the channel. It is aiming for 500,000 subscribers
by the end of 2005 and 4 million by the end of 2007.
At least one major Gulf broadcaster is looking to start transmissions
in high-definition. According to equipment suppliers Panasonic
Broadcast’s Dubai office. Dubai Television and Abu Dhabi TV are looking
to invest in either new studios or re-equipping existing studios with HD in
mind.
Prices in the United States for 27” direct-view sets capable of
displaying HD have fallen to less than $900. Televisions with 32” and 36”
screens start at less than $1,300 and $1,900, respectively. USA Today
newspaper says 4% of US homes are watching HD signals.
Satellite TV provider DirecTV is active in HD and added an HD
package last July, including ESPN, Discovery HD Theater, HDNet and
HDNet Movies for $10.99 per month. Not to be outdone, Echostar’s Dish
Network announced plans to launch a platform it says is capable of
delivering up to 50 HD channels.
