Consultation on RTE's digital channels - closing date: 10 December

[Brendan Burgess]

New RTÉ channels for digital TV Minister Ryan asks public for their views

New RTÉ channels for digital TV Minister Ryan asks public for their views

Dublin 15 November 2010

Communications Minister Eamon Ryan today announced that he is seeking the views of the public on a range of new channels proposed by RTÉ for transmission on digital television. Members of the public will have until the 10th of December 2010 to submit their views
The switch-on of digital television was announced by the Minister on the 29th of October and will include RTÉ One, RTÉ2, TV3, and TG4. RTÉ has submitted a proposal for additional channels on this free-to-air service. They are:
- RTÉ Two HD Select
- RTÉ News Now
- RTÉjr (channel aimed at preschool children)
- RTÉ Plus (repeat of peaktime RTÉ One content)
- RTÉ Aertel Digital (enhanced digital teletext service)
Announcing the consultation the Minister said, “The analogue signal will be switched off by the end of 2012. Going digital has created the opportunity for RTÉ to expand its public service offering by introducing new television channels to the digital service in 2011. Today we offer the public an opportunity to comment on the proposed new channels. We welcome all views.
”.
This process will run from today 15th November 2010 and closes on 10th December 2010.
The consultation document is available from the website, http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Broadcasting/ or from
Ms. Aoife McQuillan,
Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources,
Broadcasting Policy Division,
29-31 Adelaide Road,
Dublin 2.
For more information on SAORVIEW, see www.saorview.ie

Ends
Notes to Editors:

The RTÉ DTT service, called Saorview, was launched as a trial service to 90% of the country on 29th October 2010 and currently broadcasts the 4 national Irish TV channels (RTÉ1, RTÉ Two, TV3 and TG4). The DTT network will continue to be built over the next two years and will eventually reach 98% of the population. The new digital network will eventually replace the national analogue terrestrial free-to-air TV service when this closes at the end of 2012.
Section 103 of the Broadcasting Act, 2009 requires the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources to carry out a Public Value Test (PVT) on any new channels and services proposed by the public service broadcasters, RTÉ and TG4, and to consult with key stakeholders in this regard.

The consultation document is available on www.dcenr.gov.ie/broadcasting

Proposed Channels

RTÉ Two HD Select
RTÉ Two HD Select will broadcast the current RTÉ Two schedule with live sport, drama and film in HD.
RTÉ News Now
RTÉ News Now provides round-the-clock news coverage, with about eleven live news bulletins per day, as well as the opportunity to catch-up on the most recent news bulletin, to watch RTÉ’s main flagship current affairs programmes, and to catch-up on these where relevant.
RTÉjr
RTÉjr provides programming for children aged 6 years and younger
RTÉ Plus
The initial phase of this service is RTÉ One with a one hour delay and it will be an exact replica of the primary mixed-genre service.
RTÉ Aertel Digital
This service uses new DTT set-top box technology to overcome the limitations of analogue technology. The service provides short-form, up-to-date information and news on a range of subjects.