Finland’s terrestrial TV to go all-HD in 2020

TV operators in the Finnish terrestrial broadcasting network have agreed to move entirely to HD and cease using the SD format from March 31, 2020.

Transmission company Digita said that the operators have agreed that free-to-air channels will all simultaneously adopt the DVB-T2 broadcasting technology that enables high definition.

Digita said it has already completed the technical planning for the transition to HD in 2020 and will respond to Yle’s call for bids concerning HD broadcasts during the autumn.

Juha-Pekka Weckstrom

“At the moment, Digita has HD-capable networks covering 80% of the people in Finland. We have invested heavily in enabling the new technology to expand rapidly throughout Finland, if required,” said Digita CEO, Juha-Pekka Weckström.

“The media evolution requires that the network operator continuously develops services and the communications networks. Therefore, our primary goal is to ensure a smooth and market-oriented transition to high definition, and together with our customers to enrich the terrestrial-network viewing experience by offering hybrid services combining terrestrial-network television with broadband services.”

Digita transmits radio and television programmes across Finland via a broadcasting network that consists of 36 main broadcasting stations, 151 substations, and dozens of transmission link stations.

Digita’s Network Management Centre in Helsinki also monitors the operation of the networks 24-hours a day.