Dialogue: Access and cost the big issues for TV audience

The wishes of the average viewer should be paramount when planning for digital television, writes RICK FRIESEN*.

Paul Norris raised some interesting points in his Dialogue article headlined "Sky casts cloud over TVNZ dream". But like so many others, he has defined the digital issues in terms of the businesses involved instead of what really matters - the television viewers of New Zealand.

Open access, Telstra selling to Sky and the state of Television New Zealand's digital strategy are all commercial issues, probably of interest to only a few people. Isn't it time to consider what the issues are for the average New Zealander?

If we can focus on those, we can take the politics of varying viewpoints out of the mix and define a path to digital that is best for the country as a whole.

My admittedly simplistic view is that the public would like three things from their broadcasting system. They want the security of being able to continue to receive a reasonable number of free TV channels in the digital age. Programming by the foundation broadcasters of this country should not be compromised by a switch to digital or made available only on a pay basis.

They would like to be able to continue to use their existing TV set until it wears out, and not be forced into spending big dollars "upgrading" to a digital TV or some kind of "set-top box". Those cool set-top boxes and soon-to-be-available digital TVs may be nice for those who want or can afford them, but most New Zealanders receive their television signals over the air with their roof-top antennae or a set of rabbit ears. I have difficulty understanding why government policy should force that to change.

Lastly, additional channels and features for those who want them should be available, but not financed by public money. Sky and TelstraSaturn run systems that provide a variety of channels and added features. That's fine, but let's not assume that everyone will receive digital television through those systems.

Once the issues have been defined, as above, the path is fairly clear. First, have the Government tell broadcasters what frequencies or channels they can broadcast on in digital (that's called spectrum allocation).

Broadcasters will then begin sending out their programmes in two ways - analogue (what viewers receive now) and digital (what those who eventually buy digital TV sets will receive). There will be no difference in the content of the programmes seen on the two systems. They will just be sent out in two ways.

There will be a "coverage" issue. To broadcast in digital will require broadcasters to spend money on transmitters. The current analogue system has been the result of government and communities partnering broadcasters and helping with the cost of transmitters in sparsely populated areas. If we want to do the same in a digital world, that same cooperation is likely to be necessary.

The alternative is to have sparsely populated areas receive their signal via satellite. That's not as attractive an option because undoubtedly that means some sort of payment by individuals to receive signals that used to be free.

That's an issue for the people of New Zealand to decide on. The good news is that it's not an issue needing to be dealt with for at least five to seven years, probably a lot longer, because the transition to digital will be a slow one, and we haven't even started down the track yet.

Sky, TelstraSaturn and anyone else who wants to provide additional services should be left alone to do so.

Paul Norris rightly commented that New Zealand was behind some countries in the transition to digital. That's a good thing, not a bad thing, because there is no compelling reason to lead the way.

We have a perfectly good analogue system and viewers are not losing out by not switching to digital. Those countries that have been first have encountered hugely expensive unforeseen problems. New Zealand, when it is ready, will draw on the solutions, not the problems, and save millions by not leading the way.

The only action needed soon is that of spectrum allocation. That decision will allow broadcasters to begin their long-term planning for an orderly transition to digital, ensuring there is no disruption to the service New Zealanders expect from their broadcasters.

By the way, all the talk about e-mail, internet access and the like on your television is speculative. The features are overrated. That's not to say it can't be done. It can and will be done, but will it be accepted and is it even desired?

Several years ago, Sony offered a box in the North American market for $99. That allowed you to receive e-mail and browse the internet on your TV. It was a dismal failure.

Most people see their TV sets as a passive device, something to sit and watch to be entertained or informed. The computer is the active device, and we're a long way from changing the mindset that created that point of difference between the two.

So let's not get too caught up in our own perceived importance. It's just television after all, not brain surgery.

* Rick Friesen is the managing director of TV3 and TV4.