Now that the era of high-definition television (HDTV) has come, the next step is high-quality programs, said Premier Sean Chen on July 24.
Speaking at a ceremony marking the launch of an all-HDTV channel by Public Television Service (PTS), the premier said he looks forward to high-quality digital content that offers viewers a full audiovisual sensory experience.
The impact of the switchover from analog standard-definition (SD) to digital HD broadcasting is just as large as that in the transition to color TV decades ago, the premier noted. This time around, viewers must purchase set-top boxes, switch to TV sets with built-in digital tuners, or even wear special glasses for 3-D programs. These are some changes that come with digital television, he added.
"When the London Olympics are broadcast in HD, Taiwan's viewers will be able to enjoy the games with stunning audiovisual effects," said the premier.
According to PTS, starting from July 28, its new HDTV channel will air 20 hours of Olympic Games coverage daily for 17 consecutive days. In addition, the four terrestrial TV stations—Taiwan Television Enterprise, Chinese Television System, China Television Co. and Formosa Television—will broadcast the games eight hours a day on their flagship channels and 24 hours a day on their SDTV and HDTV channels.
Subscribers to Chunghwa Telecom's MOD (multimedia on demand) service can watch the Olympics round the clock on ELTA TV, which will offer original English-language broadcasts on 11 of its 15 channels.