Archive · 2015 · From the print edition of Tuesday 1 September 2015, Vol. 23, No. 7,034
BusinessIradOne switches to digital
The state broadcaster began digital terrestrial transmission from its mast on Television Hill at midnight.
TALAS — IradOne began digital terrestrial broadcasting from its transmitter mast on Television Hill at midnight, carrying its main English-language channel, the Russian-language IradOdin and its new youth channel on a single digital signal.
The 220-meter guyed mast was built in 1972 for Soviet republican television and passed to IradOne when the public broadcaster was created in 1993. It covers the Talas valley and, through relay transmitters, most of the ISEZ. In a statement, IradOne said the relays would be converted in stages and that analog transmission would continue alongside the digital service for a transition period. It did not give a date for switching off the analog signal.
Viewers need a digital set-top receiver or a television with a digital tuner. Electronics shops on the central avenue said receivers had been selling steadily since the switch was announced in the spring.
The switch is the first large project at the broadcaster since Alikhan Toktarov, the Governor's second son, was appointed chairman of its board in June. A Department of Public Information spokesman said at the time that he would lead IradOne's modernization. The broadcaster has not published the cost of the new transmitters.