Media Broadcast, one of Germany’s largest full-service broadcasters, has completed the upgrade of its terrestrial TV transmitter networks to DVB-T.
The project, which lasted from 2003 and 2008, completes the broadcaster’s transition to digital years before the deadline established by the German federal government. As of the end of 2008, 74 million people, or more than 90 percent of the nation’s population, will benefit from the new technology.
In the past few years, Media Broadcast has installed a total of 283 new transmitting stations and set up new broadcasting antenna at 79 locations. The company completed 71 of the jobs using helicopters for the removal of old and installation of new antennas. At the same time, Media Broadcast decommissioned more than 6000 analog TV transmitters and TV transposers throughout Germany.
In addition to improved sound and image quality, viewers receive between 12 and 30 stations with digital terrestrial TV. DVB-T’s success with viewers can be seen in the latest market study, which shows a significant increase in user figures. These viewers use set-top boxes or flat-screen TVs with built-in DVB-T tuners, USB sticks, and mobile and portable devices.
To ensure full coverage, some small areas will continue to receive a few analog fill-in transmitters into 2009.
For more information, visit www.tdf.fr.
