Terrestrial TV viewers in the Czech Republic who do not own sets compatible with DVB-T2 will have to buy a set-top box costing around CZK500 (€19.2) to receive signals in the standard.
This, says the national transmission company CRa, is much cheaper than the minimum of CZK5,000 typically charged for s satellite receiver, its installation and activation, plus the minimum of CZK1,1888 charged each year to watch content via DTH.
CRa adds that a study by ATO-Nielsen Admosphere shows that if all homes currently watching terrestrial TV switched to DTH the initial cost, including fees for a year, would amount to almost CZK15.5 billion. On the other hand, a switch to DVB-T2 in the form of a set-top box would cost CZK400 million, or 37 times less, and only be a one-time investment.
Some 60% homes in the Czech Republic rely on terrestrial TV as their main method of reception.
The transition to DVB-T2 in the country will be completed by June 30, 2020.