European Switchover Strategies '08

A chance to get to know your peers before the start of the conference and set a relaxed atmosphere

• How has Digital UK embarked on its switchover campaign?
• What lessons were learned from Whitehaven, the first town to switch?
• What role did other stakeholders - broadcasters, the supply chain and government - play?

• How did Finland make the switch?
• How was the switchover communicated to the public?
• How were vulnerable groups helped through the process?
• What can other countries learn from Finland?

• How did Sweden bring forward its deadline for analogue switch-off?
• What impact has this had on broadcasters? How did SVT get involved in the switch?
• Did viewers react well to the transition?
• The next step; from MPEG2 to MPEG4 enabling HDTV
• The role of operators on a pay-TV-driven market

• How are consumers reacting to digital switchover and how is it explained?
• What approaches are different countries taking?
• How will the second TV set and VCR problems be overcome?
• How can the benefits of switchover be sold to the digital resisters?

• What makes a successful multichannel strategy?
• How can channels capitalise on switchover?
• Is switchover seen as an opportunity or a threat?
• What channel genres make a balanced bouquet?

• How can broadcasters benefit from switchover?
• What role will DTT play in creating a pay strategy?
• Should new entrants be given preference in new channel capacity?
• What technology benefits will switchover bring?

• What new DTT technologies are on the horizon?
• How will the industry create mass-market home network and digital recording devices?
• Will more "hybrid" models emerge to take advantage of DTT?
• How can DTT manage the transition to DVB-T2 and MPEG-4?

• How can PSBs use technology to their advantage?
• What role for addressability on free-to-air platforms?
• Cross-platform: opportunity or threat?

Continue networking into the evening and enjoy the surroundings of central London at an informal dinner sponsored by Digital UK

• Overview of the American Digital Television transition (all U.S. broadcasters switch from analogue to digital on February 17, 2009)
• Government's $1.5 billion effort
• Private business's $1 billion effort
• TV broadcasters campaign - how has the US approached switchover?

• The new regulatory framework
• State aid rules
• Lessons for late-starting Member States

• How has RiksTV developed a pay-DTT business model?
• Is there adequate spectrum to create a compelling service?
• How can DTT compete with existing satellite, cable and IPTV players?

• How will platform operators capture new subscribers at digital switchover?
• What competition issues arise from switchover?
• How can cable, satellite and IPTV capitalise on switchover?
• How will broadcasters position their channels after the switch?

• How is the UK managing the terrestrial network upgrades?
• What measures are in place to avoid disruption to existing broadcast services?
• What challenges lie ahead?

• What is the successful model for DTT development in a country with more than 60% cable penetration and fast-growing DTH?
• How to attract consumers
• How realistic is the 2012-goal without a consistent communication strategy?

• Will Eastern Europe meet the 2012 target date?
• What problems are unique to the region?
• How can governments and the European Commission ensure a smooth and platform-neutral transition to digital?
• Will consumers pay for digital set-top boxes?

• Creating a compelling HDTV offer
• Clearing consumer confusion around HD
• Inspiring and informing production teams with HD
• What lessons has the BBC learnt from HDTV?

• background to the UK's digital dividend
• Ofcom's objective for its award
• issues concerning our approach to its award
• our decisions on how it will be awarded
• the detailed issues we are now considering in order to deliver that award
• Matthew Conway, Director of Operations, Spectrum Policy Group, Office of Communications ,

• What approach should be taken to release spectrum - a beauty parade or an auction?
• Should some released spectrum be retained as an "innovation reserve"?
• What measures are being taken to release spectrum across Europe?

• Should released frequencies be made available for mobile TV?
• What demand is there for mobile TV services?
• Should Europe support one standard?
• Who should operate mobile TV services - broadcasters or operators?

• Utilizing UHF spectrum for Mobile broadband
• Changing Consumer Consumption Trends
• Recent decisions at the ITU World Radiocommunications Conference-07
• The need for global spectrum harmonization

• How should the "digital dividend" be allocated?
• What services would benefit consumers the most?
• Will a "licence exempt" strategy work for frequencies?
• Should the highest bidder win?