Ukraine drops DTT channels

The Ukrainian DTT platform operator Zeonbud has withdrawn the channels Vintage TV and Business from its offer for non-payment of fees.

Satkurier and Mediananny reports that this is not the first time it has taken such a step against the two channels, taking them, along with another channel named Dobro TV, off the air in April 2015.

However, the operator has been warned by the regulator to consult with it before taking such steps.

It is also noted than Zeonbud has in the past reduced the fees owed by some channels, halving, for instance, those owed by Inter’s NTN, albeit after legal action.

It has also reduced the fees charged to StarLightMedia, 1+1 Media and Channel 5.

Vintage TV and Business can still be received via DTH as unencrypted services on Astra 4A at 4.8 degrees East.

Ukraine: DTT problems and solutions

Ukraine needs to implement a number of far-reaching measures to get its troubled transition to digital broadcasting back on track.

Quoted by Mediasat, Ivan Omelyanuk, an expert on digital TV and member of DigiTAG, said that there had been several shortcomings in the transition process.

The main ones were lack of transparency in choosing the operator of four multiplexes (Zeonbud); unfair competition in the choice of TV channels to be carried on the multiplexes; encryption of channels that should have been offered FTA, leading to an increase in the cost of receivers; opting for multi (MFN) and rather than single (SFN) frequency networks; failure to exploit the benefits of DVB-T2; and insufficient coverage achieved by DTT signals.

To remedy this, Omelyanuk proposed the immediate prohibition of encoding DTT signals, which would result in the cost of receivers halving; use of SFNs; introduction of 7-8, mostly national, TV channels on the first multiplex; cancelling Zeonbud’s licence and holding another tender for the four multiplexes it currently operates; use of digital frequencies by local TV stations; the establishment of a commission to oversee the transition to digital broadcasting, with gradual ASO to start immediately.