Finland to transition to high-definition TV next year – more and more viewers will enjoy sharper TV picture quality
Published: 11.9.2024
HELSINKI 11, September 2024 - Next year, Finland will transition fully to the HD era as free-to-air TV broadcasts will be transmitted exclusively in high-definition, or HD quality, after a staggered transition period. Standard definition, or SD broadcasts, will end completely next year.
Standard definition broadcasts will end first on Yle on 31 March 2025 and on other Finnish TV channels on 30 June 2025. The change applies to households with both antenna and cable TV reception. There are some households in Finland that do not yet have a TV capable of viewing HD broadcasts.
“The HD transition is a significant step in the development of TV technology, while supporting the diversity and service offering of TV media. The new distribution technology makes more efficient use of limited broadcast frequencies, which helps support the digital transformation,” says Lasse Laine, Director at Traficom. “No one will be left alone in the technological transition: with extensive communication, we aim to ensure that every home is ready to receive HD broadcasts after the transition,” says Laine.
Channels to be re-tuned – channel numbers on the terrestrial TV network to change in November
The first change affecting viewers in the terrestrial TV network will take place on 19 November 2024 as channel numbers are updated. After the update, the high-definition or HD versions of free-to-view TV channels will be listed first in the list of channels under numbers 1 to 20. Standard definition channels will be moved to channel numbers 21 to 39. All TV channels will still remain available.
In the cable network, the channel numbers were changed as early as in August 2021.
“The HD transition increases the number of high definition channels on the terrestrial television network. As households upgrade their TV receivers, more and more viewers can enjoy sharper picture quality and access interactive hybrid TV services,” says Tom Jungell, Vice President, Broadcasting at Digita.
The changes in the terrestrial network will take place on Tuesday, 19 November 2015 between 10.00 a.m. and 3.00 p.m. Digital will announce possible disruptions caused by the update later. In terrestrial TV households, there is no need for preparations ahead of the update.
After the update, a channel search must be performed on the TV receiver.
Digita/Communications
The Finnish Transport and Communications Agency Traficom works to ensure the availability of well-functioning, safe, secure and reasonably priced transport and communications connections and services in Finland. Traficom is also an authority serving people and businesses in licence, registration and supervisory matters. We anticipate change and produce information to support decision-making and consumer choices. We support the sustainable development of the information society and transport system and promote the creation of innovative services.
Digita is a provider of digital infrastructure and services and the country’s largest independent owner of telecommunication masts. We ensure the functionality of everyday connections and the availability of diverse communications for all Finns while respecting the environment. The company owns and operates Finland’s leading national terrestrial television and radio network, acts as a pay-TV operator for the antenna network, and develops future broadcasting services. Digita’s telecommunications services include private networks, indoor coverage solutions, telecommunications mast and rooftop management services, as well as Internet of Things (IoT) and data center services. Services are provided to media companies, consumers, mobile operators, industry, infrastructure companies and property owners. Digita employs more than 200 experts nationwide and we want to be the best workplace in our industry for everyone. www.digita.fi