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Helsinki Edition About Us |
Digital TV - what will it mean The British press has been swept up in a tide of words about the launch of digital television in the UK. Many have treated its introduction this October with suspicion arguing that few people will use the service in the immediate future. The introduction of satellite television undoubtably revolutionised global communications and it is expected that digital television will eventually replace analogue services. Emily Bell wrote in The Observer, companies are risking millions in a battle for an audience that may not yet exist. Although the BBC launched the first digital channels, the first available service was Rupert Murdoch's Sky Digital. This was launched on October 1st offering more than 140 channels to a tiny audience. This service will be followed by rival ON-Digital which is backed by existing ITV companies and should be available by Christmas. The British press appears suspicious of this new venture. Journalists have questioned whether there is enough room in the market for both and anticipate that Murdoch's service will emerge triumphant. "Here we go again" criticised Steven Barnett in the Guardian. He recalled how Murdoch achieved a stranglehold on live sport with the willingness of a small group of viewers to pay ever increasing subscription fees. The press has criticised two of the three supposed advantages of digital television. Although it is agreed that the medium will provide better quality sound and pictures, there is debate about promises of greater viewer autonomy. It is claimed that digital television will provide the audience with a broader choice of programming, releasing them from the control of schedulers and enabling 'interactive' viewing. The Observer pointed out that Sky Digital's intentions were commercial and many of the programmes available were re-cycled. Many channels are occupied by audio signals while others are showing the same programmes at staggered intervals to allow selective access. John Naughton, again in the Observer, describes the choice and interactive services as "pretty anaemic". Although there is uncertainty about the success of the venture, most writers appear to agree that digital television poses a threat for the future. Many have echoed what appears to be a great fear in Britain. It is anticipated that this change in broadcasting will continue the decline of 'free' television while subscription television gradually dominates. Questions are again being raised about the right of the BBC to be able to tax people who watch television. It is feared that the alleged role of television as a national unifier will collapse. Gareth Andrewertha |
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