Bakom: Analog broadcasting obligation lifted

Since the vast majority of the Swiss population uses digital offerings, the analog broadcasting obligation will only apply in the digital area from 2015, according to the Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM). The abolition of the so-called "must-carry programs" will take place in two steps. As of June 1, 2013, the must-carry obligation for foreign channels (ARD, ORF 1, France 2, Rai Uno, ARTE, 3 Sat, TV5, Euronews) will be eliminated. From January 1, 2015, analog distribution of domestic must-carry TV channels can also be waived (SRG channels, regional licensed channels). In the medium term, cable network operators will therefore be able to decide fully for themselves which channels they distribute via their analog networks.

If a cable network operator offers its customers a free digital/analog converter for the reception of an equivalent digital basic offering, it is released from all analog must-carry obligations even before this point and is free to compose its analog TV offering. With a converter, a digital basic offering can also be watched on older tube TV sets. Only the youth program Joiz must continue to be broadcast in analog until March 21, 2015, due to a decision by the Federal Administrative Court. The provisions on the digital offering of cable network operators remain unchanged. This means that the must-carry channels mentioned must continue to be broadcast there.

Analog dissemination obligation caused capacity problems

Cable network operators offering analog and digital radio and television programming were previously obliged to broadcast certain domestic and foreign programs in both technologies. With the expansion of digital offerings, they are increasingly coming up against capacity limits. This is because the distribution of one analog TV program requires the same amount of bandwidth as the distribution of ten digital TV programs in standard resolution or four programs in HD resolution. On August 1, 2012, the Federal Council therefore gave the Federal Department of the Environment, Transport, Energy and Communications (Uvek) the authority to lift the obligation to broadcast must-carry TV channels in analog as soon as they are received digitally by an overwhelming majority. Since TV programs are now received digitally in around 85 percent of all households, the Uvek made the corresponding adjustment to the Ordinance on Radio and Television.

Satisfaction at Swisscable and UPC Cablecom

Swisscable is pleased with the decision. The time is ripe for a complete switchover to the digital network, the association for communication networks said in a statement on Monday. "The various cable networks will switch to digital TV individually, taking into account customer needs," said Claudia Bolla-Vincenz, managing director of Swisscable. "The fact that the cable networks have leeway here is very positive and allows them to take local conditions into account."

UPC Cablecom also "welcomes the decision" in a statement. Customers had already been brought into the digital age free of charge when basic encryption was lifted last November. The company still maintains an analog network, but will "make adjustments to it in the near future and thus respond to the sharp decline in customer interest. (hae)

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