Poor TV content threatens digital migration—experts

Experts have described television content as “king” of the ongoing digital migration in the world.

Speaking in Johannesburg, South Africa on Friday during a Multichoice digital dialogue conference, Southern Africa Digital Broadcasting Association (Sadiba) executive member Koenie Schutte, said quality and quantity of content on the digital TV will decide the future of digital migration in Africa.

“Digital migration needs huge effort. If TV content is not compelling enough, there will be no or slow progress on transition to digital,” said Schutte.

With transition from analogue to digital TV, viewers are expected to watch more channels with high quality pictures and sound as one digital signal transmission frequency can carry up to 20 channels unlike the current analogue transmission where one frequency carries only one channel, according to experts.

Multichoice Malawi marketing manager Titania Kaunda said digital migration will not affect existing DStv subscribers as their current satellite TV signal is already digital, adding Multichoice is, however rolling out Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) where TV signals are transmitted using towers.

“The DTT is currently on trial in South Africa, but has already been rolled out in countries such as Kenya. With DTT, you use an antenna and not the dish to get television signals,” said Kaunda.

Malawi has arranged to switch on transmission of digital TV signals by January 31 next year ahead of the Sadc digital signal switch-on deadline of December 2013.