Bidding Begins For New Irish Channels

The Dublin Government has opened the bidding for potential broadcasters to win a spot on Ireland's digital terrestrial television platform.

At the end of next year, the analogue broadcasting signal will be turned off, and all television and radio signals will be broadcast exclusively via digital signals.

The Government claims the changeover from analogue to digital technology will allow for a "more diverse range of services to be broadcast" and the Exchequer is expected to benefit from the potential bidding war over available channels.

The Communications Minister Pat Carey signed an order allowing the Broadcasting Authority of Ireland to seek expressions of interest from broadcasters.

The switch-off of the analogue TV network will free up a wider spectrum of broadcasting frequencies, releasing more commercial purposes.

Speaking about the submissions of interest, Minister Carey said: "This Order clearly shows that the momentum for digital switchover and analogue switch off is being maintained. It represents a major opportunity for broadcasters and indeed other interested parties to become a part of digital terrestrial television in Ireland."

(DW)