Transition to digital television will most probably lead to the closing of local and regional TV channels. Such concerns were stated in the debate “Digital Television: What do we gain? What do we lose?” that was staged by the Independent Journalism Center, IPN reports.

Ion Bunduchi, executive director of the Electronic Press Association, said the transition to digital television is slow because not all the slots available in Multiplex A have been filled. The local and regional television channels do not know how to act and light should be cast in this case as the broadcasting costs will be very high for them. The technological part is as important.

Deputy ICT minister Vitalie Ciolac said transition to digital television will enable to receive the signal in high definition video formats, while the soundtracks will be in several languages. The progress made in the process of transition to digital terrestrial television opens up new opportunities for the communications sector, with beneficial impact on end-users. When transition to digital television is completed, up to 100 TV channels could be received instead of the three with national coverage. The possibility of receiving signal with aerial without paying subscription in most of the areas of the country is one of the advantages.

Media TV Cimislia director Andrei Bargan stated that together with another 15 local and regional TV channels, they are the worst-hit as they can disappear from ether as of December 31, 2017, when the analog signal will no longer exist. Two years ago, they received a letter from the ICT Ministry whereby they were informed that some of the analog TV channels do not hamper digital television and can work, but the deputy ICT minister said the analog television will be halted completely.

Victor Pulbere, head of the Control and Digitization Division of the Broadcasting Coordination Council, said 12 slots of the first Multiplex A were occupied as a result of the contest held last January and three more slots were filled last June. The second multiplex will also be filled. The local broadcasters are in the worst situation and a regional multiplex can be built only in Cahul – Comrat area owing to the financial possibilities existing there.

Multiplex A covers with signal 85% of the country’s population and 76% of the territory of Moldova. A guidebook on connection to digital terrestrial television is available on the website of “Radiocomunicatii” company.