Plan for HD to replace Portuguese pay DTT

Portugal Telecom is negotiating with the regulator Anacom to replace its proposed pay-TV multiplex with a bouquet of high definition channels. The telco argues that market conditions have changed since the original application was made.

The plan is for national broadcasters RTP, SIC and TVI to broadcast HD versions of their existing channels free-to-air in the HD format. However, Portugal Telecom is to push ahead with its own national digital TV channel, which under the plan would also have an HD simulcast.

Portugal Telecom was awarded five multiplexes on which to run its pay-TV service, potentially leaving a swathe of unused bandwidth.

The 2007 tender included the free-to-air DTT platform, a fifth generalist channel and a sixth in HD.

Portugal’s pay-TV multiplex was awarded in July 2008. Portugal Telecom faced competition from the Swedish Airplus group that went on to unsuccessfully challenge the ruling. It was the Airplus-owned Dahlia TV that earlier this month pulled out of the Spanish market quoting operational difficulties.

The revocation of the licence will have to be accepted by two regulatory authorities, Anacom and the communications regulator ERC.