Enhanced scheme will help about 400,000 Singaporean HDB households without Pay TV subscriptions continue to watch local programmes through Digital TV (DTV)
SINGAPORE – 6 April, 2018: The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) will offer a DTV Starter Kit to all Singaporean HDB households which do not subscribe to Pay-TV, thus helping these households continue to enjoy local free-to-air TV programmes after analogue TV signals are switched off on 31 December 2018. The DTV Starter Kit was announced by Dr. Yaacob Ibrahim, Minister for Communications and Information, at IMDA’s annual partners’ appreciation event earlier this evening.
Each DTV Starter Kit will allow eligible households to either redeem an indoor antenna and digital set-top box for free (including free delivery and installation), or enjoy $100 off selected DTV equipment at participating electronics stores.
Eligible households will receive a letter explaining how the DTV Starter Kit can be used. Letters will be sent out in batches from April to June 2018. Redemption of the DTV Starter Kit will end on 31 December 2018.
Singapore will cease analogue TV broadcast on 31 December 2018. Starting 1 January 2019, free-to-air TV programmes will only be shown in digital format. Viewers who currently see the “Analogue” channel logo below on the top-right hand corner of their TV screens will need to switch over to DTV.
About three quarters of Singapore households are already watching DTV either over-the-air, or through their Pay TV subscription. IMDA launched its DTV Assistance Scheme in 2014 to help low-income households switch to DTV. The DTV Starter Kit is an expansion of the DTV Assistance Scheme to help more households make the switch to DTV.
With DTV, viewers will enjoy a better free-to-air viewing experience with high definition pictures and sound, alongside interactive features such as multi-language subtitles and electronic programme guides. DTV also allows viewers with Toggle Red Button-registered TV sets to access Mediacorp TV shows, Toggle Original content and Catch-Up TV. Singapore’s switch to DTV also frees up scarce radio frequency spectrum, which will be used to provide better quality and higher mobile broadband speeds, ultimately improving end-user experience. Please refer to the Annex for more details about DTV.
Related Resources
ANNEX DTV Starter Kit (334.16KB)
ISSUED BY THE INFOCOMM MEDIA DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY
About Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA)
The Infocomm Media Development Authority (IMDA) leads Singapore’s digital transformation with infocomm media. To do this, IMDA will develop a dynamic digital economy and a cohesive digital society, driven by an exceptional infocomm media (ICM) ecosystem – by developing talent, strengthening business capabilities, and enhancing Singapore’s ICM infrastructure. IMDA also regulates the telecommunications and media sectors to safeguard consumer interests while fostering a pro-business environment, and enhances Singapore’s data protection regime through the Personal Data Protection Commission.
For more news and information, visit www.imda.gov.sg or follow IMDA on Facebook IMDAsg and Twitter @IMDAsg.
For enquiries, please call 1800-388-4357 (1800-DTV-HELP) or email ask@digitaltv.sg.
For media clarification, please contact:
YUEN Hui Tian (Ms)
Assistant Manager, Communications and Marketing, IMDA
DID: (65) 6202 4416
Email: yuen_hui_tian@imda.gov.sg
CHUA Hian Hou (Mr)
Deputy Director, Communications and Marketing, IMDA
DID: (65) 6202 4956
Email: chua_hian_hou@imda.gov.sg
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