Saorview Launch
Thursday 26th May 2011
Long before the internet, Irish Television has been Irelands’ window to all the major national and international sports, news, current affairs and entertainment events since the 1960’s. The historic State visits over the past few weeks exemplify the important role played by television in the social and cultural life of Ireland over the last 50 years.
It seems fitting therefore, that in this, the fiftieth year since the launch of Telefís Éireann (on 31st December 1961) we should see the launch to the Irish public of the next generation - Irelands free to air digital television service - Saorview.
With the national launch of Saorview today, Ireland at last enters the era of national free to air digital broadcasting. This will bring new opportunities to our Irish broadcasters ensuring that they continue to compete with their European counterparts and will also benefit TV viewers in Ireland by offering a wider array of TV channels, programme guides, information channels and some high definition content.
I would like to congratulate RTÉ and in particular Mary Curtis and the Saorview team for their hard work which has made this launch possible. I would also like to congratulate Mick Kehoe and his team at RTÉ Networks Limited who have done a very good job of building the network in such a short space of time and in all weather conditions.
I am glad to see Pól O’Gallchóir (TG4) and David McRedmond (TV3) here today also. It is important that we have a variety of broadcasters and services available on Saorview and I look forward to seeing all the broadcasters working together to ensure that the platform delivers for Irish TV consumers.
The move to digital TV is also expected to have positive implications for the availability of Irish broadcasting services in Northern Ireland. The MOU signed in February 2010 between the Irish and UK Governments provides for RTE and TG4 to be carried on the digital TV network throughout Northern Ireland. This provides for Irish channels to be broadcast throughout the island of Ireland for the first time in the history of the State.
The launch of Saorview forms an integral part of Ireland’s national digital switchover strategy which provides for the ultimate closure of the RTÉNL analogue TV network at the end of 2012 and paves the way for (the spectrum used by this network to be used for) the delivery of new jobs, new mobile and broadband services, and new national economic growth.
In achieving this strategy there is much to do and much to be achieved.
So while we celebrate with RTÉ the launch of their Saorview service, I and the Government are keenly aware of the challenges this initiative brings for our fellows citizens.
At least a quarter or a million Irish households in Ireland are reliant on the analogue network. Each of these households will need to upgrade to digital TV by the end of 2012 or they will lose access to television. This gives households between 16-18 months to move to digital. This changeover period is significantly shorter than in any other European country and whilst this assists broadcasters it may present a challenge for households. To overcome these challenges we must all work together in fulfilling our obligations, we must assist people with information and practical assistance to ensure that no one is left behind as Ireland goes digital.
In order for this to happen I have promised to deliver a substantial information campaign providing households with information on the digital switchover and on their options for going digital. This information campaign will start in October.
We must remember that the most important person today is the Irish TV consumer and members of the viewing public.
The move to digital requires that people be able to purchase affordable and easy to use Saorview equipment.
I look forward to RTÉ and RTÉNL working intensively with manufacturers and retailers to ensure that there is a plentiful supply of simple to use, accessible and affordable set top boxes available on the market as well as a wide range of digital televisions and digital video recorders. This key element will undoubtedly assist people in going digital.
I have recently met with groups representing the disadvantaged, including those with sight, hearing and other physical disabilities. The introduction of digital technologies offers great opportunities to achieve greater inclusion in this area and now is the time to ensure that these opportunities are taken. I know that officials from my Department are actively engaged on these issues and I would urge all relevant broadcasters, manufacturers and retailers to ensure that the issue of accessibility of services is central to their work at this time.
I and my Department are also working towards addressing the particular needs of vulnerable households as they prepare to go digital. In this context, the expertise and local knowledge of the many voluntary and charity organisations around the country will be of critical importance to ensuring the success of the switch-over process. I have asked my Department to ensure that, to the greatest extent possible, these organisations play a major part in our information campaign.
As I have just outlined their is work to be done over the coming months. But the project is well worth it.
· SAORVIEW secures the future of Irish free-to-air television in the digital age.
· SAORVIEW actively seeks to bridge the digital divide to make the best television services accessible to all free-to-air; regardless of age, location or social class.
· From a national economic perspective, the switch to digital transmission will free up radio spectrum for use by other important communications services such as broadband, mobile TV and others.
With these remarks it is now my pleasure to declare the migration to free to air Digital Television Broadcasting in Ireland officially launched.