e.tv set to launch digital TV in 2012

e.tv, a South African broadcaster best known for its free-to-air channel of the same name, has revealed that it is getting ready to launch commercial digital broadcasting services in 2012.

Vasili Vass, GM of group communications at e.tv said that e.tv is in “advanced planning stages for a commercial launch of DTT next year.”

According to Vass, e.tv is building control studios and is busy with content development for any new channels.

However, Vass said that the following still needs to be completed before they would be able to give an accurate timeline for launch:

1. Set top box (STB, a device needed to receive a digital TV signal) standards still need to be agreed on and approved by all role-players in the SABS process.
2. A government project management office still needs to be established so that central co-ordination for the project is provided.
3. A government conformance scheme is to be established so that set-top-boxes can be tested.
4. Broadcasters must still apply for digital terrestrial television (DTT) channel authorization, which ICASA (the Independent Communications Authority of South Africa) must approve.
5. ICASA needs to announce the performance period so that broadcasters can begin the broadcasting of DTT channels.

Vass said that e.tv couldn’t comment on the number of additional channels and content they are planning for the launch as it is confidential at this stage.

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