Published:  17.12.2019

Yle and Digita have agreed on the distribution of television and radio channels for the period 2020–2029. Yle’s HD channels Yle TV1 HD, Yle TV2 HD, Yle Fem HD and Yle Teema HD will be launched in Digita’s nationwide terrestrial television network in the spring of 2020.

“We are very pleased that our good cooperation with Yle is continuing and that we will be able to provide Yle’s HD channels, in addition to Yle’s high-quality radio and TV content, in our national terrestrial television network to all Finns”, Digita’s CEO Vesa Tykkyläinen rejoices.

“We are building the network on a tight schedule to cover the whole country. When high definition broadcasts are launched in the spring of 2020, the network will cover 85 per cent of the population, and it will be nationwide by early summer”, says Tykkyläinen regarding the network’s building schedule.

“We believe that Finns are interested in the sporting events of 2020 in high definition, accelerating the transition into HD of the terrestrial television network. We are bringing terrestrial television into the future and, going forward, we will enable a more communal and interactive TV viewing experience with hybrid services”, says Tykkyläinen.

“Finnish antenna households have been waiting for the transition to high definition broadcasts for a long time, while cable and satellite users have been viewing channels in HD for years already. This is a natural part of the
continuous development of content production, technology and services. All of Yle’s productions are already in HD and now we will be able to provide our content with the best quality for everyone in Finland. This agreement is also important for the entire Finnish TV industry, as it creates an opportunity for high-definition distribution to other Finnish TV companies as well”, says Yle CEO Merja Ylä-Anttila.

Digita’s radio and TV networks are reliable and high-quality distribution channels that provide everyone with equal access to content, regardless of where they live.

At pre sent, Digita’s terrestrial TV and radio broadcasts reach 99.96 per cent of the population of mainland Finland. Approximately 50 per cent of the people in Finland receive television programmes via terrestrial television. In addition, its coverage extends to most of the Finnish summer cottages. Digita’s terrestrial television network offers the best content, interactive television and premium pay-TV services.

When high definition broadcasts are launched on 1 April 2020, the network will cover 85 per cent of the population, and it will be nationwide on 1 June 2020. An Antenna Ready HD receiver is required to watch high definition broadcasts. By acquiring a new receiver, TV viewers will be able to access all hybrid TV services on TV channels in addition to HD services. Of the households that use terrestrial television as their only reception method, 63 per cent currently have the capability to view HD broadcasts. The reception of channels on Digita’s terrestrial television network still takes place with the currently functional UHF reception antennas and systems. For more information on the progress of the network expansion, visit www.digita.fi/tv.

Digita/Communications

Digita owns and operates Finland’s leading terrestrial network for nationwide TV and radio transmissions, and is the country’s largest independent owner of telecommunication masts. The company is a provider of digital software and services. Digita’s services include telecommunication masts, data centre and IoT services, and broadcasting services for the future. Digita provides services to Finland’s largest mobile phone operators, internet and media companies, infrastructure enterprises and real estate owners.  Digita employs 180 experts across Finland. www.digita.fi