Interactive television for SRG meets with criticism
SRG wants to introduce interactive television in Switzerland. For this reason, the Radio and Television Ordinance is being revised. The plans are not going down well with cable network operators: they fear a "Lex SRG".
Interactive or hybrid television (HbbTV) is a standard technology that emerged in Europe in 2010. This allows text news, weather reports, additional video channels or in-house productions from the company's own archive to be shown not only on the Internet, but also on the TV screen at the same time.
Launch planned in 2015
In Switzerland, SRG plans to introduce this hybrid service at the beginning of 2015. Two years ago, Radio and Television in French-speaking Switzerland (RTS) launched a pilot project. The experience has been promising, SRG said in response to an inquiry.
But in order for the hybrid service to be introduced in Switzerland, an amendment to the Radio and Television Ordinance and the SRG license is necessary. The Federal Office of Communications (OFCOM) sent a corresponding revision into consultation in June, the deadline for which is Friday. The amendment is intended to ensure that telecommunications service providers distribute the hybrid television services of licensed stations such as the SRG.
High costs feared
The cable network operators are annoyed by this demand. Bakom is planning a small "Lex SRG", Swisscable criticizes in a press release. By privileging HbbTV over other services, the federal government is, however, orienting itself exclusively to the plans of SRG, the industry association finds.
The revision only purports to improve access to modern services for customers, writes Swisscable. In contrast, the association fears additional costs for customers because the distributors of the hybrid service would have to make considerable investments. Swisscable is affiliated with 220 companies, including Cablecom.
Swisscom is of the same opinion. In view of the technical conversions, enormous investments would be necessary, the company says in response to an inquiry. The telecom provider is fundamentally skeptical about Bakom's plans and considers regulation of hybrid television to be unnecessary.
SRG declined to comment when asked by SDA. (SDA)
