Apart from improving the broadcasting quality in terms of picture and sound, digital TV accommodates more data and allows for interactivity.

"It's a revolutionary TV broadcasting project," said Daniel Köppl, editor-in-chief of Marketing & Media magazine.

During the initial phase of switching to digital broadcasting, up to 2 million people in and around Prague can receive the digital TV signal of Czech Television (CTV) channels CT1, CT2 and CT24, as well as that of TV Nova, which was invited by CTV to be the first commercial digital network in this country.

The opening of a first digital network by network operator Ceské radiokomunikace allowed public-service CTV and Czech Radio to begin digital broadcasting in Prague. Further expansion of digital broadcasting in this country will soon follow, said CTV technical director Rudolf Pop. "Next spring we plan to expand [digital broadcasting] to Brno and then to Ostrava," Pop said.

Switching current analog broadcasting to digital was prompted by European Union requirements that call for abandoning analog broadcasting in Europe by 2012.

More channels

Digital broadcasting is also expected to expand the portfolio of TV programs across the country.

"A network that could accommodate just one analog broadband will in the future be able to accommodate four to five digital programs," said Pop.

Today there are four TV stations with nationwide coverage: ČT1, ČT2, TV Nova and Prima TV. When the six digital networks are operational, there will be enough space to accommodate 24 TV stations.

The first new program to be launched under the new technology will be a sports channel run by ČTV, according to České radiokomunikace broadcasting service director Martin Roztočil. That channel should be up and running before the start of the 2006 Winter Olympics in Turin in February.

Another significant contribution of digital broadcasting is interactivity. Viewers will be able to place bets or send e-mails via television, according to Marketing & Media's Köppl. "Digital broadcasting will significantly boost interactivity of TV viewers and it'll provide great opportunities for teleshopping channels," Köppl said.

Law in the works

To receive digital TV signals, viewers are required to buy a digital television set or purchase a set-top box that will convert digital signal to analog TV screens. Market analysts estimate around 20,000 set-top boxes have already been sold this year.

Alongside the newly launched digital network, operated by České radiokomunikace, five other digital networks are expected to be launched in the future. Český Telecom spokesman Vlastimil Sršeň said the date of their launches have not yet been set.

Meanwhile, Czech Digital Group (CDG) board Chairman Leoš Pohl said commercial broadcasts in CDG network could be launched as early as spring 2007. "Technically, we're ready, but we're waiting for TV stations to start broadcasting in our network. ... They'll be selected in a tender conducted by the Broadcasting Council," Pohl said.

The Broadcasting Council has reviewed 22 TV projects so far and is expected to issue its first digital license by the end of the year. The process is being delayed by the absence of a new broadcasting law, which is expected to be adopted this fall.

ČTV won the right to be the first digital broadcaster thanks to its status as a noncommercial public-service television station.