Archive notice: This article was originally published on July 16, 2008. Links and embedded videos are preserved as part of the historical record.
Around four months after its launch, the Saxon State Authority for Private Broadcasting and New Media rates the progress of Leipzig’s DVB-T pilot project “Everywhere Television | Local” as exceptionally good. The project, unique in Germany, has attracted great interest both from television viewers and within the industry.
“We are currently optimizing the five transmission facilities distributed across the city as planned to ensure reception of the six private broadcasters via DVB-T in every area,” explained Martin Deitenbeck, Managing Director of the SLM. “We have enough latitude in transmission power to include difficult areas if necessary. However, initial measurement drives have shown that we are already very close to the goal and can reach everyone in Leipzig.”
LEIPZIG FERNSEHEN in particular has received considerable praise and recognition since the project began. According to the 2008 radio analysis, the station can already be received by more than 400,000 viewers in Leipzig and is watched regularly by 70 percent of Leipzig residents. This does not include viewers in the surrounding Leipzig area who were not covered by the survey.
Respondents also recognize its bold commitment to new digital distribution technologies through “Everywhere Television | Local,” as well as LEIPZIG FERNSEHEN’s DVB-T broadcast of an event channel during the 2006 FIFA World Cup.
By supporting the development of the new “info-tv-leipzig” information channel, which is available digitally over the air, on Primacom’s digital cable network, and on the internet, LEIPZIG FERNSEHEN is also playing an active role in shaping the SLM pilot project’s six-channel package.
“I remain impressed by the commitment of everyone involved,” said Detlef Stiemer, Managing Director of Leipzig Fernsehen. “Viewer feedback on the pilot project’s launch and the first successes in attracting local business advertisers for the new ‘info-tv-leipzig’ channel confirm that we are on the right path toward the digital future. Work is currently under way to establish international programming in order to address Leipzig’s approximately 30,000 foreign residents, as well as visitors to the city, even more effectively.”
“info-tv-leipzig” already broadcasts programs in English and Chinese. It works closely with the City of Leipzig, Leipziger Messe, Leipziger Verkehrsbetriebe ( LVB ), Leipziger Wohnungsbaugesellschaft (LWB), Leipziger Volkszeitung (LVZ), and 3D Art Studio. HTWK also supports “info-tv-leipzig” with program contributions and technical implementation.
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“I have rarely experienced such committed and creative cooperation as among those involved in the Leipzig pilot project,” said Prof. Kurt-Ulrich Mayer, President of the SLM Media Council. “I am naturally especially pleased by the success of LEIPZIG FERNSEHEN and ‘info-tv-leipzig’ for everyone in Leipzig, who can now be even better informed about their city.”
The innovative “Everywhere Television | Local” project is intended to optimize the conditions for local and regional private providers in particular to enter digital broadcasting. From September 2008, the first use of rotating-field transmission antennas in Germany will also allow the six new channels to be received on the move in cars or trams.
The broadcasters and their programs:
Leipzig Fernsehen broadcasts information from Leipzig and the surrounding region 24 hours a day. Alongside traditional news, it offers numerous magazines covering sports, health, and lifestyle topics.
BBC World broadcasts a full 24-hour schedule of information and documentary programming in English.
Bibel TV Stiftung gGmbH is a 24-hour channel based on Christian values, showing feature films, Christian music, pastoral programs, reports, and documentaries that touch and inspire. I believe I see. Bibel TV
info-tv-leipzig is intended primarily to provide residents and visitors with information on current news, weather, and sports. It also offers special information on hotels, restaurants, events, trade fairs, and cultural offerings.
Radio Leipzig is a full-service regional radio station with hourly local news, weather, and traffic information aimed at the 25-to-49 age group.
The Catholic broadcaster Internationale Christliche Rundfunkgemeinschaft will distribute its predominantly national information service Radio Horeb.
The technology:
The SLM commissioned Mugler AG of Oberlungwitz to plan and build the transmitter network. Five transmission sites were established, serving around 200,000 households.