The state will help socially vulnerable segments of the population to purchase digital TV receivers

May 18, Ushachi / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. A program to provide socially vulnerable segments of the population with digital television set-top boxes will be developed in Belarus by the President's order. This was announced today to journalists during a direct phone line with residents of the Ushachi district by the Minister of Information of Belarus Oleg Proleskovsky, BELTA reports. Belarus will switch to digital broadcasting on January 1, 2015. Currently, digital broadcasting covers 90% of the country's territory, but only a small part of the population has access to it, the minister stated. This is explained by the fact that most viewers have analog TV sets and lack set-top boxes for receiving digital signals. The Ministry of Information intends to actively promote digital broadcasting. "This is a new stage in the development of information technologies and a new quality of services. Digital television will allow in the future to form your own evening, i.e., to create your own broadcasting schedule, including programs from different channels that can be watched at a convenient time," Oleg Proleskovsky explained. In addition, the digital signal will allow for an increase in the number of received channels. Speaking about the cost of digital television services, Oleg Proleskovsky expressed confidence that the price will not be higher than the current analog broadcasting transmission services. As for the multiplex - a set of television channels transmitted via one digital channel - it will be free. Moreover, unlike the first multiplex, which is currently received, the second and third, according to the minister, will be formed based on the interests of the majority of viewers through public discussion. It is assumed that on the website of the Ministry of Information, anyone will be able to cast their vote for a particular channel that claims to be included in the multiplex. Oleg Proleskovsky drew the attention of the media to the need for broader advertising of digital television. During the direct line, Oleg Proleskovsky answered several questions from residents of the Ushachi district. In particular, the discussion concerned digital television, the quality of music broadcasting on FM stations, and television advertising. -0-