Catch-up channel to beef up RTÉ digital offering after switch

RTÉ is working on plans for a catch-up channel to let viewers see favourite programmes after their scheduled broadcast time.

The channel is part of a package of changes the broadcaster is drawing up in preparation for the national switch-over to digital television.

In 2012, in common with the rest of Europe, the current analogue system of transmitting programmes will be switched off and all channels will be aired using digital technology. Householders not subscribing to private satellite television providers, most of which are already in the process of going digital, will have to buy a receiver if they want to continue getting RTÉ.

The receiver, in the form of a set-top box, will enable them see RTÉ1, RTÉ2, TG4, the catch-up channel and an Oireachtas channel. Negotiations will take place to bring TV3 into the package too.

RTÉ director-general Cathal Goan told the Oireachtas Communications Committee yesterday that while the switch-over would not take place until 2012, detailed preparations were under way.

He said the broadcaster would need 190 sites countrywide to provide masts for the new €95 million transmission network but 13 sites would provide about 90% of the coverage nationally.

Viewers will have to buy set-top boxes from electrical shops and while RTÉ will discuss the development of the product with manufacturers to ensure it meets the broadcaster’s technical requirements, it will have no say in the price charged.

“We would have a view that anything that is over €100 would be a bad idea,” said Mr Goan.

Subsidies to ease the cost for low-income households could be considered but could breach EU competition laws if satellite subscriptions were not equally subsidised.

Mr Goan said a public awareness campaign would be launched well in advance of the switch-over to inform viewers exactly what they needed to do.

RTÉ bosses also told the committee about plans to ease anxieties for radio listeners when the broadcaster drops its medium-wave transmission next month.

Director of radio Adrian Moynes produced an €8 AM/FM radio he bought in Argos which he said would receive the station on both long wave and FM but a voucher system was also available for anyone needing assistance to buy a new set.

“We have talked to Age Action and we will be meeting St Vincent de Paul tomorrow to arrange for the distribution of vouchers,” he said.

Mr Goan stressed that the vast majority of listeners already used FM.

“Our medium-wave transmitter was put off air in 2004 for five months and we had 30 queries from the public. The week before last the medium-wave transmitter was off for 16 hours and we had one query.”