BEAM backs draft IRR on shift to digital TV

MANILA, Philippines – Broadcast firm Broadcast Enterprises and Affiliated Media (BEAM) has expressed its support for the recently released draft implementing rules and regulations (IRR) for the shift to digital terrestrial television (DTT).

“We fully support the NTC [National Telecommunications Commission] and its latest version of the IRR for digital television,” BEAM president Steve Macion said in a statement.

Macion said the industry will benefit from the plan of the NTC of providing UHF operators with options to either switch to DTT using their assigned analog frequency, or simulcast using frequencies assigned to inactive VHF operators.

“This will hasten digital migration and maximize efficiency in the use of spectrum,” he said.

He also agreed with NTC’s decision to accept new applicants that have congressional broadcast franchises as well as financial and technical capability.

“This would open the industry’s doors to new and innovative players that can introduce positive changes in broadcasting, whether as a for-profit, an entertainment medium, a public service, or as an agent of social change,” said the BEAM president.

BEAM is a Philippine broadcast company that operates free-to-air channel 31. BEAM, which was initially focused on UHF broadcasting, is currently preparing for digital terrestrial television and multimedia convergence.

The NTC has set a public hearing for all affected and interested parties on September 12.

The NTC released the draft IRR pursuant to its Memorandum Circular No. 05-11-2013, adopting Japan's Integrated Services Digital Broadcast-Terrestrial (ISDB-T) standard for the Philippines' migration to digital TV.

Source: ABS-CBN News