Transition from Analogue to Digital signal
2009-2013: Transitional Period
The period from 2009 when we started our operations, until the end of 2013, was a transitional period from the switch from analogue to digital television era.
With 21 provisional Transmitter Sites and the corresponding digital transmission frequencies in each one, the analogue signal switch-off and the digital signal switch-on progressively begins in parts of Greece, leading the way to the full transition to the digital era(1) .
Transmitter Site “Xilokastro”
The first digital signal broadcasting in Greece of the commercial nationwide TV channels takes place from Xilokastro, covering a large part of the Corinthian Gulf (1).
Transmitter Sites “Chortiatis” and “Filippio”
The digital broadcasting of the commercial nationwide TV channels in Thessaloniki starts. In "Filippio" the analogue signal was switched-off while in "Chortiatis" the simultaneous transmission of the two signals was maintained, also providing coverage to Imathia, Pieria, Pella, Kilkis and part of Chalkidiki (2).
Transmitter Sites “Hymettus” & “Aegina”
The digital broadcasting starts in Attica for the commercial nationwide TV channels, from the Transmitters Site "Hymettus” and "Aegina" and the coverage also extends to the Mesogeia region, the western coasts of the Cyclades islands and the southern coastal regions of Evia. Simultaneous transmission of both analogue and digital signals is maintained, for the time being, in the largest Transmitter Site in Greece "Hymettus” (1).
Transmitter Site “Aegina”
Digital broadcasting of the commercial regional TV channels 0-6 TV, Attica TV, Extra Channel-3, High TV, Mad TV, MTV Greece, Nickelodeon and Sport TV begins (1) .
Transmitter Site “Plaka”
Digital broadcasting of the commercial nationwide TV channels begins with a simultaneous switch-off of the analogue broadcasts, covering the areas of southwest Thrace, south parts of Evros and Rodopi, southeastern part of Xanthi and the north part of Samothrace (1).
Transmitter Site “Aegina”
Digital broadcasting of the commercial regional TV channels Blue Sky, Channel 9, Kontra Channel and Teleasty begins.
Transmitter Site “Monte Smith”
The city of Rhodes now enjoys digital broadcasts of the commercial nationwide TV channels (1), along with the simultaneous switch-off of analogue transmissions.
Transmitter Site “Dovroutsi”
Start of digital broadcasting, along with a simultaneous switch-off of the analogue transmissions for the commercial nationwide TV channels, providing coverage to Thessaly (1).
Transmitter Site “Akarnanika”
Digital broadcasting of the commercial nationwide TV channels begins, with simultaneous switch-off of the analogue transmissions, offering coverage in parts of western Greece, Aitoloakarnania, Arta, Preveza, Achaia and the Ionian Islands (1).
Transmitter Site “Aroi”
Digital broadcasting with simultaneous switch-off of the analogue transmissions for the commercial nationwide TV channels in areas of Patras, Messolongi, Nafpaktos, parts of Aitoloakarnania, Achaia and Ilia, is now a reality (1).
Transmitter Site “Hymettus”
Analogue signal switch-off for the commercial nationwide TV channels and digital signal switch-on for 14 regional channels of Attica (3).
Transmitter Site “Chortiatis”
Analogue signal switch-off for the commercial nationwide TV channels and change in frequencies (4).
Transmitter Sites “Rogdia” & “Malaxa”
Digital broadcasting for the commercial nationwide TV channels begins, with a simultaneous switch-off of the analogue transmissions (5), providing coverage to the cities and other parts of Heraklion, Rethymno and Chania.
Transmitter Site “Petalidi”
Digital broadcasting begins, with simultaneous switch-off of analogue transmissions, for the commercial nationwide TV channels (6), providing coverage to areas of Peloponnese, Messenia and Laconia.
Digital Transition 2014
The 156 Transmitter sites that were required by law(7) for successfully completing the country’s transition from analogue to digital terrestrial broadcasting were grouped in 6 regional Switch-offs and the timetable of their execution was determined(8) leading to the conclusion of the digital transition project.
3⁰ Switch-off
Eastern Macedonia, Thrace and the Northeastern Aegean islands enter the digital era - 21 Transmitters Sites
Access to digital television signal for more than 850.000 viewers of Drama, Kavala, Xanthi, Rodopi, Serres, Thasos, Evros and the islands of Lesvos, Lemnos, Chios, Samothrace and Psara.
4⁰ Switch-off
Central Macedonia, Thessaly and part of Central Greece enter the digital era - 21 Transmitters Sites
Access to digital television signal for more than 2,5 million viewers of Thessaloniki, Chalkidiki, Kilkis, Pella, Imathia, Pieria, Karditsa, Larissa, Magnesia (including Sporades), Trikala, Fthiotida, Viotia, Evrytania and Northern Evia (10).
5⁰ Switch-off
Northern Continental, Central and Western Greece enter the digital era - 29 Transmitters Sites
Due to adverse weather conditions, the Transmitter Sites of these regions, were activated in 4 phases, until January 16, 2015. Access to digital signal was provided to a total of 1,7 million viewers of Grevena, Kastoria, Kozani, Florina, Arta, Thesprotia, Ioannina, Preveza, Aitoloakarnania and the Ionian Islands, by the activation of 29 Transmitters Sites (11).
Bibliography
(2) JMD 44088/1268/Φ.150/15-10-2012, G.G. 2797/Β’/16-10-2012
(3) JMD 26337/675/7-6-2012, G.G. 1836/Β’/11-6-2012, JMD 28348/745/19-6-2012, G.G. 2019/Β’/20-6-2012
(4) JMD 40569/1129/21-9-2012, G.G. 2691/Β’/4-10-2012, JMD 44088/1268/Φ.150/15-10-2012, G.G. 2797/Β’/16-10-2012
(5) JMD 21293/621/Φ.150/30-4-2013, G.G. 1109/Β’/9-5-2013, JMD 18433/515/Φ.150/16-4-2013, G.G. 1018/Β’/24-4-2013
(6) JMD 21161/12-8-2008, G.G. 1680/Β’/20-8-2008, JMD 39527/1311/Φ.111Α/1-8-2013, G.G. 1972/Β’/13-8-2013
(7) JMD 42800/5-10-2012, G.G. 2704/Β’/5-10-2012
(8) JMD 30150/901/Φ.111Α/16-5-2014, G.G. 1338/Β’/27-5-2014
(9) JMD .40518/1168/Φ.111Α/4-7-2014, G.G. 1879/Β’/10-7-2014
(10) JMD. 62941/1831/Φ111Α/29-10-2014, G.G. 2931/Β’/30-10-2014
(11) Due to bad weather conditions prevailing during this period, the activation of the digital signal took place on different dates.