TOKYO -- After a year of debate, Japan has decided to delay the launch of terrestrial digital TV services by three years, to 2003, giving in to pleas from broadcasters worried about expected high costs.
The Posts and Telecommunications Ministry said on Friday that it expected Japanese TV stations to start digital broadcasts in the Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya areas by 2003 and in other areas by 2006. But it called on TV stations to start experimental services in Tokyo in 2000. "We acknowledge difficulties broadcasters face in investing 1 trillion yen (US$7.1 billion) in capital spending," a ministry official said.
The year for the terrestrial digital TV launch is a particularly sensitive subject for the ministry, broadcasters, and electronics makers. DigiTV services require large investments by broadcasters, but are expected to spur convergence of televisions and personal computers and encourage development of new products, such as PCs that can receive digital TV signals. The ministry had been concerned that a delay could undermine opportunities for Japanese electronics manufacturers and communications companies in the emerging digital era.
US networks will begin digital TV services in November, and British companies will proceed this summer.
The delay in the ministry's digital schedule allows terrestrial broadcasters time to concentrate on their other, less costly, digital plans. All five major networks plan to offer digital TV services via satellite beginning in 2000, when Japan will switch its analog satellite service to digital.
