On Wednesday, the analogue terrestrial broadcasting of the VTV6, DRT1 and VTV Da Nang channels officially ended in the city and in the northern area of Quang Nam Province. 

The switchover to digital broadcasting of these channels is now affecting some local families because their existing TVs have yet to be equipped with digital compatible devices, known as set top boxes, which decode the digital TV signals.  In particular, the VTV Da Nang channel is much favoured by local viewers.

Watching a football match on a digital TV

On the same day, the Deputy Minister for Information and Communications, Mr Le Nam Thang, explained that the ending of analogue terrestrial broadcasting of the VTV Da Nang channel is in accordance with the recent regulations about ending analogue broadcasting at all the branches of VTV. They are in Hue, Da Nang, Phu Yen Province, Can Tho and Ho Chi Minh City.  Meanwhile, the analogue terrestrial broadcasting of the VTV 6 channel has been running on a temporary basis over past years.  DRT1, which is operated by Da Nang Radio and Television, is not listed as one of the city’s most important channels.

Deputy Minister Thang added that SMS messages about the national TV digitalisation programme will be sent to telephone subscribers in the city and Quang Nam Province in the next few days.  In addition, residents of the 2 localities can access information about the programming via hotlines which will be set up soon.

The VTV Transmission Centre will complete the establishment of digital broadcasting stations in the Hoa Son and Hoa Bac communes in Hoa Vang District next month.