Since the launch of the DVB-T network in
Austria in late October 2006, public
broadcaster ORF and the commercial broadcaster ATV offer a rich set of MHP 1.1.2
applications to the Austrian TV households.
DVB-T MHP devices for early adopters and low-income
households are subsidized with €40 each. As of June 2007 about 40% of DVB-T Set
Top Boxes in Austrian TV households are equipped with MHP 1.1.2 middleware,
resulting in a solid base for the broadcasters MHP service offering.
Since spring 2007 an additional state subsidy for MHP
compliant DVB-C Set Top Boxes is provided. That means that digital cable
households in Austria are also able to access the
new MHP services.
The existing MHP based EPG provided by Austrian network
operator ORS on the terrestrial platform will be re-launched later this year,
supporting then an additional multiplex containing another 4 to 5 TV channels
(depending on region).
MultiText - that’s the ORF brand name for the MHP
services – provides general information like news, weather, sport in new
visualization, but in addition provides especially a wealth of background
information related to the broadcasters TV programmes and thematic priorities
(eg a dedicated Multitext portal regarding “climate change”, sporting events
like Ski World Cup 2007, etc ). During the popular live TV show “Dancing Stars”
(spring 2007), all owners of MHP devices connected to an IP return channel could
vote for their favorite candidates simply by remote control. Also, viewers could
participate in a moderated Chat during each of the live events.
Previously
In autumn 2006 DVB-T will start in Austria with 70%
coverage. As an integrated feature of this new platform the relevant Austrian
TV broadcasters, ORF and ATV, will distribute their new "MHP Multitext", the
state-of-the-art generation of what Austrian consumers so far have known as
Infotext (or Teletext). This MHP Multitext will be based on MHP 1.1.2. RTR, the
Austrian Regulatory Authority, will provide subsides for MHP set-top boxes in
two separate activities:
- Early adopters: The first 100,000 buyers of a
certified MHP set-top box will be able to use a € 40 voucher which will be
sent to all pre-registered TV households.
- Around 330.000 low-income households will be
able to request a € 40 voucher in order to get subsidies for purchasing a set-top box.
One reason for
the subsidies for MHP devices is that DVB-T in Austria will not deliver a great
variety of TV programmes initially (at most six programs until analogue switch-off). Therefore
the Austria Regulatrory Authority has identified additional services in an open
European standard as a success factor of great importance, when it comes to
demonstrating the added value of digital terrestrial TV in Austria for consumers.
