Low-income to get help with digital conversion
With all broadcasts in Korea converting to digital signals in 2012, the government will aid low-income families who do not have digital television sets.At an economic policy meeting led by Deputy Prime Minister Kwon O-gyu, the government discussed the conversion from analog to digital TV and the resources needed.
Last month, the government announced a bill saying that all broadcasting services must convert to digital by Dec. 31, 2012.
The government estimated that it will take 2.3 trillion won ($2.5 billion) during the period up to 2012 for the digital conversion.
That includes investment by broadcasting companies on facilities, production costs for high-definition programs, improved receiver environments and distribution of converters that handle the switch from analog to digital.
The government estimated that it will take 219.8 billion won to distribute the converters to low-income families.
The government is also considering raising costs for public television viewership. Public TV has cost 2,500 won a month since 1981, but advertising revenue is continuously dropping.
Ad revenue was 2.7 trillion won in 2002 but fell to 2.4 trillion won last year.
By Wohn Dong-hee Staff Writer [wohn@joongang.co.kr]
with the Korea JoongAng Daily
To write comments, please log in to one of the accounts.
Standards Board Policy (0/250자)