Digital terrestrial television in Australia commenced on 1 January 2001 in Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane , Adelaide and Perth using DVB-T standards. The phase out of analogue PAL transmissions began on 30 June 2010 and was completed by 10 December 2013.
63-726: Freeview is the brand name of the digital terrestrial television platform in Australia intended to bring all of free-to-air (FTA) broadcasters onto a consistent marketing platform, to compete against subscription television , in particular Foxtel . The strategy coincided with the expansion to 3 digital channels for each FTA network and the phasing out of analogue television in Australia. Important services from Freeview include its free-to-air channels with an enhanced EPG (electronic program guide) across all channels. Freeview also certifies televisions, set-top boxes and personal video recorders (PVR) which meet its standards. The Freeview brand
126-458: A MHEG-5 electronic programming guide (EPG). In July 2009, Freeview signed a licensing deal for MHEG-5, the traditional information grid pattern EPG which is covered under patents owned by Macrovision . Freeview announced details of its EPG on 28 June 2010, with plans for a consumer launch in September 2010. The new EPG was based on the same EPG data available to all digital TV devices via
189-648: A set top box in order to receive the signal. Digital Broadcasting Australia was established in late 2000 to help make the transition to digital television as seamless for consumers as possible. It included representatives from free-to-air broadcasters, manufacturers, suppliers, and retailers and was intended to provide information about commencement dates, coverage, and the functionality and availability of equipment. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation launched ABC Kids and Fly TV channel in August 2001. The two multichannels, available only through digital means, showed
252-515: A catchup TV and enhanced EPG service built on the Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV standard. To access the service, TV and set-top boxes need to be both HbbTV compatible and be connected to the internet. While Freeview runs a FreeviewPlus certification program, any HbbTV compatible television equipment can display the apps. Initially only televisions received official FreeviewPlus certification. The first certified set-top box
315-568: A company search revealed all shares were owned by the Nine Network. WIN Corporation was a member of the Freeview organisation until March 2012 after complaints over the organisation's role in the television industry and the cost of operations. SBS withdrew from Freeview in May 2015, citing federal budget cuts, but Freeview cannot disable SBS's HbbTV app or remove it from the airwaves. Part of
378-537: A competitive bidding process for digital spectrum. On 24 March 1998, Minister for Communications, the Information Economy and the Arts, Senator Richard Alston , announced the government's decisions for the introduction of digital television. The plan allowed commercial and public broadcasters 7 MHz of spectrum free of charge for 8 years to simulcast services in both digital and analogue, after which it
441-773: A medal tally, and event results. Similarly in 2005 for the Melbourne Cup , Australian Open , Australian Open Golf , and the One Day International series from the United Kingdom, the Seven Network provided a multi-view datacast service. As well as this, the Nine Network and NBN Television (now Nine Northern NSW ) both provided a multi-view service with additional text information during Pompeii: The Last Day . Digital Forty Four ,
504-428: A minimum of 10 minutes, but these restriction were eased to 3 minutes in 2015 in response to a request from a hardware manufacturer supporting FreeviewPlus. Phase 2 required Freeview devices to feature MHEG-5 technology, which Freeview used to support its interactive electronic program guide and proposed future enhancements. The Freeview advertising for their 17-channel platform and certified products, combined with
567-508: A minimum of 160GB internal storage, with Digital Rights Management applied to recordings copied off the device. Restrictions must also be in place to ensure recordings can not be accessed if the hard drive is removed from the recorder. Phase 1 Freeview devices were not required to feature Freeview MHEG-5 EPG technology, and manufacturers could sell Freeview Phase 1 devices without MHEG-5 until 2012, and were not required to label such devices as Phase 1. Freeview Phase 2 certified devices incorporate
630-438: A number of digital-only datacast or multiview services on separate channels – in particular during major sporting events. The Seven Network , for instance, provided two additional channels as part of its coverage of the 2003 Rugby World Cup – one providing alternate commentary, the other with statistics and game information. Seven also ran a similar service during its coverage of the 2004 Summer Olympics showing news headlines,
693-427: A number of enhancements over the previous analogue television, primarily higher-quality picture and sound, as well as datacasting and multi-view services such as video program guides , high definition , and now-and-next program information. There are a number of additional channels , datacasting, as well as high definition services, available to digital terrestrial television viewers in Australia. Digital-only content
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#1732779589045756-433: A number of original programs launched later on, such as Australia Wide , Short and Curly and Late Night Legends . In the other market areas where there are only 1 or 2 broadcasters, digital-only stations were created that transmit programming from the unrepresented broadcasters in that area. These digital-only stations are owned by joint-venture, or by the sole broadcaster, depending on the area. During September 2007,
819-690: A range of programming targeted at children and teenage viewers. Similarly, the Special Broadcasting Service launched the SBS World News Channel in 2002, a digital-only service offering a number of foreign-language news programmes seen in its morning WorldWatch timeslot. Funding issues meant that in May 2003 the Australian Broadcasting Corporation closed ABC Kids and Fly TV. In the same year, Tasmanian Digital Television became
882-534: A separate standard definition and high definition channel. As of January 2009, they were permitted 2 standard definition channels in addition to the high definition channel – the networks planned to launch these via Freeview . However, in August 2015, the government finally lifted the SD Primary Channel mandate, allowing broadcasters to simulcast their respective main channel programmes in high definition. The transition from analogue to digital television
945-441: A single system following detailed trials of potential systems, that it should be implemented with high definition capabilities from the outset, that each licensed commercial or public service should have access to a full 7 MHz channel for its services, and that the eventual termination of analogue PAL services should be driven by market factors and subject to regular review. The commencement of digital terrestrial broadcasts
1008-927: A trial datacasting service, began in Sydney in 2003. The service included at launch an electronic program guide , ABC News, Sport and Weather datacast service, the Australian Christian Channel , shopping channel Expo and a number of federal parliament audio streams. The service, licensed by the Australian Communications and Media Authority , ceased broadcasting at midnight on the night of 30 April 2010. Three metropolitan networks once provided video program guide datacast channels in addition to their standard and high definition channels. Nowadays, during ABC TV Plus ', ABC Me 's and ABC Kids ' downtime, those Australian Broadcasting Corporation channels show their channel logo and
1071-550: A user cannot access the catch up service through FreeviewPlus, it may still be accessible via a third party device running the broadcaster's app. In May 2017, Freeview announced a brand overhaul of FreeviewPlus to align it more closely with its newer Freeview FV brand. The changes would include a new logo, and a simplified user interface. In November 2016, Freeview released an app for iOS and Android devices that provides access to live-streaming of Freeview channels. While also marketed as providing access to catch-up services from within
1134-526: Is more about restricting devices than enabling them. The introduction of channels replacing the previous high definition simulcasts led to complaints that regular programming was no longer broadcast in high-definition. The Freeview organisation comprises free-to-air licencees Australian Broadcasting Corporation , Special Broadcasting Service , Seven Network , Nine Network , Network 10 , Prime Media Group and Southern Cross Broadcasting . An ABC release stated these groups are shareholders of Freeview, though
1197-487: Is subject to availability and differs greatly in various television markets. Although approximately 96% of the population had access to at least one digital service, take up was initially sluggish, with only 28% of Australia's 7.8 million households having adopted free-to-air digital television by March 2007. However, by August 2010, 75% of Australian households had made the switch. Analogue transmissions began to be phased out in 2010, and ceased to be available nationwide by
1260-781: Is unknown. A consultant has been commissioned to advise on vendor partnerships, and ABC's iView technology is the frontrunner to deliver the service. Plans for this video hub have been superseded by the FreeviewPlus service. The ABC, SBS, Seven Network, Nine Network and Network Ten each offer "catch up" internet television services in Australia , allowing viewers to watch local and foreign content after it has been shown on their respective channels, while One allows online streaming of select sporting content, including live streams of Formula One . In September 2014, Freeview launched FreeviewPlus, its Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) service, which consists of six HbbTV apps – one for each of
1323-518: The Freeview brand name as a consistent marketing platform for digital broadcasting to compete against subscription television in Australia , with the actual Freeview service commencing in March 2009. In April 2009, the government released a new labelling scheme for digital television devices, to help people buy the correct equipment in the transition from analogue to digital television. Televisions had
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#17327795890451386-516: The "Freeview EPG" logo have access to the new Freeview EPG, although the Freeview-endorsed TiVo recorder will extract CRID data from the broadcast signal to update its own EPG (with permission from the networks), rather than relying on Freeview's EPG data. Australian EPG provider IceTV 's High Court victory over the Nine Network, secured its right to supply a third-party EPG service, which may influence Freeview's long term plans for
1449-639: The ABC relaunched their HD channel, ABC HD . VK3RTV is an experimental Amateur Television Repeater licensed by the ACMA to Amateur Radio Victoria. In late September 2009 the former single analogue channel was converted to a 2 channel DVB-T digital system. The output of the transmitter is on 445.5 MHz which can be received on some set top boxes and digital television sets. Both channels (VK3RTV1 and VK3RTV2) are transmitted in standard definition. This repeater has been re-located from Olinda on Mt Dandenong to Mount View to
1512-729: The Australian government's commercials warning of the closure of analog TV transmissions, was intended to help consumers buy appropriate devices. Freeview has threatened PVR manufacturers such as DViCO with legal action if they include the Freeview (UK) logo (which looks very similar to the Freeview Australia logo) on their Australian packaging. Eurofins Digital Testing, is the Officially Approved Test Centre for Freeview Australia conformance testing, where manufacturers wishing to deploy devices with
1575-608: The Federal Government that allowed them access to the digital broadcast spectrum. On 4 November 2009, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy approved a Digital TV only licence for West TV in Perth, which allows them to broadcast as a digital-only community television station as a replacement for the now defunct Access 31. Digital services were available in most areas, however parts of Western Australia and Central Australia had yet to begin transmissions in 2007. To aid
1638-576: The Freeview Australia logo and EPG can obtain pass reports. Sony Interactive Entertainment Australia added Freeview compatibility to the PlayStation 3 's PlayTV digital television tuner in October 2009 with the 1.21 firmware update. The update disabled ad-skipping, reduced fast forward and rewind speed to 30x and removed the ability to copy recordings to other devices. Unlike other Freeview-endorsed devices, these restrictions can be easily bypassed on
1701-462: The Freeview initiative is to certify set-top boxes as capable of receiving free-to-air digital television broadcasts (both standard and high definition). Although certification requirements have not been formally released, Phase 1 Freeview devices will be high-definition , and capable of more advanced video encoding ( MPEG-4 ). Recorders will not be able to skip over ads, and must enforce digital rights management. Skip features were initially limited to
1764-860: The PlayStation 3. To obtain Freeview certification, devices must include at least one high-definition digital tuner, supporting the HD formats of 576p, 720p and 1080i. Freeview devices must be capable of receiving and decoding H.264/MPEG-4 AVC , a far less data-stream hungry standard than the initial MPEG-2 standard. The standard allows higher quality transmissions or more television channels. All broadcasters now use MPEG-4 for their primary channel HD services, as well as some additional channels (in HD and SD). Freeview devices can not skip an ad block. Initially they could skip 10-minute blocks, and fast forward and rewind at 30x speeds, but these were changed to 3 minutes and 32x in 2015. Hard drive-based recorders must offer
1827-617: The Seven and Nine networks launched their third channels in September 2010: 7mate from Seven and 9Gem (then GEM) from Nine. Network Ten launched their third channel, 10 Peach , on 11 January 2011 as Eleven. On 26 November 2015, Nine launched their fourth channel, 9Life , along with a relaunch of 9HD as well as all the channels merging with Nine. On 28 February 2016, Seven launched their fourth channel, 7flix . On 2 March 2016, Ten relaunched their HD channel, 10 HD . On 10 May 2016, Seven relaunched their HD channel, 7HD . On 6 December 2016,
1890-424: The app, the app instead redirects users to the relevant catch-up apps. As at 2 December 2018, the application is still not available for "Android TV" streaming platform. Neither is "SBS on Demand", and "ABC iview". Freeview has been criticised as being ambiguous and light on details, with criticism that certification is more about restricting devices than enabling them. Network Ten's simulcast of "One" in HD & SD
1953-495: The broadcast and MHEG-5 EPG services. The ruling may also affect whether third-party EPG providers have the right to extract CRID data from the broadcast signal without permission from the networks, as the CRID data will not be encrypted. On 24 November 2014, Freeview announced that its MHEG-5 EPG service will cease on 24 November 2017, without an effect on its FreeviewPlus service. In September 2014, Freeview announced FreeviewPlus ,
Freeview (Australia) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2016-455: The broadcast signal, but also monitored Content Reference Indicator (CRID) data embedded in the broadcast signal. The CRID data allowed recorders to detect when a program is running over schedule and continue recording. After initial confusion as to whether non-Freeview devices would still have access to the EPG, Freeview confirmed the broadcast EPG would remain. Only Freeview-endorsed PVRs featuring
2079-637: The choice of the European DVB-T system for digital terrestrial television. The panel was a group of representatives from the country's public, commercial and regional broadcasters, the Department of Communications, the Information Economy and the Arts, as well as the Australian Broadcasting Authority. When digital television launched on 1 January 2001, the majority of households did not know of or were unable to buy
2142-923: The commercial networks' regional affiliates also carry a HD simulcast of the main SD channel. Quotas on high definition content – a minimum of 1040 hours per year – were imposed by the Australian government in July 2003 on broadcasters in Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane , Adelaide and Perth . The same requirement was extended in April 2005 to stations in Darwin , regional New South Wales and regional Queensland , and in January 2006 in Mildura . As of 13 July 2007 commercial television networks in Australia were permitted to provide
2205-429: The day or alternatively offer an HDTV service. It claimed that up to $ 100 million would be needed to prepare for these services, half of which would need to be government-funded. Other interested parties, such as internet service provider OzEmail argued for the provision of spectrum for interactive services, while Telstra , shareholder in the subscription television provider Foxtel , supported ASTRA's argument for
2268-486: The digital television switchover, households receiving government assistance payments were eligible to have a set-top-box provided free of charge to convert to digital television. In addition to set top boxes, the assistance included any necessary cabling or antenna upgrades needed to achieve a reliable digital signal. In October 2008, the Digital Switchover Taskforce announced the timetable for
2331-482: The east of Melbourne. It is expected to be re-activated in June 2020. Amateur Radio Operators are restricted in terms of the content they may transmit in that the transmission of entertainment is not allowed. However, Amateur Radio Operators are nonetheless able to transmit a wide range of educational material related to amateur radio & electronics. A number of broadcasters, primarily commercial networks, have provided
2394-416: The end of 2013. From 2009, the free-to-air digital television platform has been promoted under the Freeview brand name. Planning for digital terrestrial television in Australia can be traced back to 1993, when a group of specialists was drawn from the then- Australian Broadcasting Authority , Department of Transport and Communications, in addition to broadcasters and manufacturers. The ABA Specialist Group
2457-538: The first digital-only commercial station to be launched in the country, under Section 38A of the Broadcasting Services Act . The new station was a joint venture between existing commercial networks Southern Cross Broadcasting and WIN Television . Tasmanian Digital Television, affiliated to Network Ten , was initially available only in Hobart , before expanding to Launceston and, by early 2009,
2520-666: The five major Australian free-to-air broadcasters and a sixth cross-network electronic programming guide (EPG). Each network offers access to its catch-up TV library via its apps, plus it is possible to scroll back in time through the green button on-screen guide to view catch up programs. The service won Best Enhanced TV Service at the International Interactive TV Awards 2015. FreeviewPlus is not always available when viewing channels through regional affiliates. The Freeview website lists which catch up services and EPG listings are available by postcode. Where
2583-671: The following labels: The government labelling standards were in addition to the Freeview labelling standards endorsed by the major commercial and public broadcasters and which contributed to confusion between Freeview and government digital TV standards. Freeview devices had to meet the High Definition Digital TV Ready standard. Perth community station Access 31 's closure was partially blamed on viewers and revenue lost to increasing digital television viewership. The analogue-only station had been campaigning with other community television stations for support from
Freeview (Australia) - Misplaced Pages Continue
2646-477: The government scheme, however non-Freeview boxes can also be labelled in the same way, leading to viewer confusion as to whether the Freeview channels will be receivable on those set top boxes without the branding. A Freeview compliant device will display all digital television channels broadcast in a viewer's market area, including those broadcast in high definition. While Freeview promotes its approved devices, its website notes that any HD compatible device will show
2709-505: The lack of detail, minimal information was given by Seven and Nine Network management regarding new channel launch dates. The original Freeview announcement stated planned May releases for the launch of new digital channels by both networks, while a later Seven release mentioned mid-2009 and then October for its secondary channel launch. Digital terrestrial television in Australia Digital terrestrial television brought
2772-424: The more conventional 720p and 1080i formats are now used. Currently, national public broadcasters ABC and SBS , and metropolitan commercial networks Seven , Nine and 10 have 1080i high definition services which, since 2015, simulcast their main channel from standard definition. Prior to this, HD broadcasts were shown as a multichannel providing different content from the main SD channel. In addition, most of
2835-509: The newly launched interactive EPG built on MHEG-5 . This Freeview EPG ceased operating on 24 November 2017, and Freeview is now focusing on its new Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) FreeviewPlus service which was launched in 2014 and incorporates an onscreen guide. Digital terrestrial television commenced in Australia on 1 January 2001, in Sydney , Melbourne , Brisbane , Adelaide and Perth using DVB-T standards. The transition from analog PAL transmissions began in 30 June 2010 and
2898-620: The outset. The Federation of Australian Commercial Television Stations supported this, as well as freedom for its members to launch multi-channel services. At the same time, the Australian Subscription Television and Radio Association , questioned the commercial viability of HDTV , was opposed to the idea of multi-channeling, and argued for a competitive system that would allow the entry of new players. The Australian Broadcasting Corporation stated that it wished to run up to four multichannels at different times of
2961-427: The programming on the high-definition channels was simulcast from the parent channel. From 2009, commercial broadcasters were allowed to transmit an alternate standard definition channel. On 26 March 2009, Channel Ten launched 10 Bold as One HD, its SD multichannel as a 24-hour sports channel. 10 Bold (then One HD) was also broadcast on 10's only HD channel space at the time, channel 1, replacing 10 HD . Channel 1
3024-779: The prohibition on new free-to-air broadcasters would be extended until December 2008. Amendments were subsequently made to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 and the Radiocommunications Act 1992 , which set out ownership and programming conditions for broadcasting licences (administered by the ABA ) and regulated the usage of spectrum, respectively. On 18 June 1998, the Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting Selection Panel announced
3087-514: The remainder of the state. The introduction of this fifth channel resulted in significantly higher digital television takeup in Tasmania than other parts of the country. ABC Family , the Australian Broadcasting Corporation 's second attempt at a digital-only channel launched on 7 March 2005 as ABC2. The service showed a range of repeated news, current affairs, children's and educational programs originally shown on ABC TV (then ABC1) as well as
3150-516: The same channels. With the exception of WIN Television services and in some regional areas, most digital channels broadcast the Freeview EPG. While WIN Television stations no longer broadcast the Freeview EPG, their programming is still listed in the EPG and channels remain on the Freeview website. Through Freeview, the free-to-air broadcasters have signed a new initiative for an industry-wide video hub – details of what content will be carried
3213-422: The service, that it should be based upon existing standards, and should not restrict the ability of broadcasters to tailor local content. It was too early at the time to make decisions relating to what standard should be used, when transmissions should commence, and whether analogue television should be phased out. The final report, of the same name, was released in 1997. It recommended that Australia should adopt
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#17327795890453276-433: The three commercial networks announced the introduction of high-definition only channels later that year, becoming the first new commercial television channels to launch in metropolitan areas of Australia since 1988. The Seven Network's 7HD was the first to launch on 15 October and became available through Prime Television on 29 October. This was followed by the launch of 10 HD (then Ten HD) on 16 December. The majority of
3339-474: The time they are back on air, with music from ABC's radio networks, Double J and ABC Jazz . Other channels were launched, such as TV4ME , ishop TV , Extra , Gold , TVSN , Spree TV , Aspire TV and Fresh Ideas TV . At a minimum, all digital television broadcasters in Australia provide a 576i standard-definition service, in addition to high definition . The 576p50 format is also considered an HDTV format, as it has higher vertical resolution through
3402-409: The use of progressive scanning . When Australia started DVB-T in 2001 several networks broadcast high-definition in a 576p format as this could give better quality on 50 Hz scanning CRT TVs and was not as demanding on MPEG-2-bit-rate. Since many modern television sets have an interlace to progressive scan conversion there is little difference in picture quality. MPEG-2 encoders have also improved so
3465-575: Was co-ordinated by the Digital Switchover Taskforce operating under the federal Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy. Until the switch-off in the respective areas, free-to-air broadcasts were simulcast, along with digital-only channels like ABC TV Plus (then ABC2). Cable television networks began simulcasting in 2004 and analogue cable services were switched off in April 2007. In November 2008, all free-to-air broadcasters (both metropolitan and regional) joined to launch
3528-450: Was completed by 10 December 2013. The Freeview brand was launched on 24 November 2008, while the actual service commenced in 2009 along with the rollout of a number of Freeview badged set-top boxes and integrated digital televisions . (At least four manufacturers intend to release Phase 1 Freeview devices which do not support MHEG-5 .) Freeview has been criticised as being ambiguous and light on details, with criticism that certification
3591-503: Was criticised by some as being a single channel, as it is not unique content and the introduction of One means Network Ten's non-sports programming is no longer broadcast in HD. Freeview certification will include at least two phases, with the Phase 1 Freeview devices not required to feature the MHEG-5 technology Freeview intends to use to support its Electronic Program Guide. In addition to
3654-406: Was intended to bring together studies taking place in a number of Australian forums and investigate potential options and policies relating to digital television. In 1995 the group released a report, Digital Terrestrial Broadcasting in Australia , containing the preliminary conclusions of the group. It found that premature regulation of the new platform might stifle the market-driven development of
3717-420: Was later given back to 10 HD in September 2020, by readjusting 10's channel numbers. Nine later launched GO! (now 9Go!), as a general entertainment channel skewed towards younger viewers on 9 August 2009. Seven introduced Australia's first catch-up channel 7TWO (now branded as 7two) on 1 November 2009. On 22 July 2010, the ABC launched its proposed news channel, ABC News (then ABC News 24). In addition,
3780-495: Was launched in November 2008 with teaser commercials promising 15 channels in 2009. The first new "Freeview" channel started on 26 March 2009 with Network 10 's 10 Bold channel. Further advertising began on 26 April 2009, with the first Freeview certified devices appearing in retailers from May 2009. In June 2010, the second phase of devices, marked as "Freeview EPG" devices, became available in retail stores, designed to work with
3843-614: Was released in May 2015 and the first digital video recorder – the Dish TV AerialBox T2200 – was released in August 2015. Existing digital television devices should continue to operate without Freeview certification, with the following caveats: As well as Freeview labelling, the Australian Government has its own scheme for identifying digital ready televisions and set top boxes. Freeview branded set top boxes are labelled as 'High Definition Ready' under
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#17327795890453906-758: Was to be returned to the Commonwealth. Digital terrestrial television was to commence on 1 May 2000 to coincide with the Olympics, however it was later postponed to the celebration of Australia's centenary of federation on 1 January 2001 in metropolitan areas, with expansion to regional areas to have been completed by the start of 2004. Following this, commercial broadcasters would be required to provide minimum levels of high-definition content, would be required to pay fees if they chose to provide datacast services and would be prohibited from using their spectrum for multichanneling of subscription services. In addition,
3969-484: Was to target before Sydney hosting the 2000 Summer Olympics . The Australian Broadcasting Authority's response, titled Digital Terrestrial Television Broadcasting , recommended that the Australian Government support the early introduction of digital broadcasting as a free-to-air service with the loan of a 7 MHz channel for each broadcaster, in order to enable high-definition television from
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