The Croatian Government passed on 31 July 2008 the Strategy of transfer from analogue to digital television broadcasting in the Republic of Croatia determining as the main strategic goal in the period until 31 December 2010, the complete transfer from analogue to digital television broadcasting in the RoC. By implementing this Strategy, digital television programmes will become available to all citizens in the Republic of Croatia, without any interference, and at the same time, it will increase space for freedom and media pluralism in the Croatian society.

 

Encouraged by unquestionable vital national interests of the Republic of Croatia in the area of digital television development and implementation of advanced digital electronic communication, the Croatian Government determines by this Strategy, fundamental strategic determinants for implementing digital terrestrial television services in RoC. Thereby, the EC recommendation on complete transfer to digital television by 2012 (or earlier) and on creation of better conditions for improving possibilities of access to information, education and entertainment by all Croatian citizens and companies is fully followed.

 

Digital television brings better quality television signal, reception of television programmes without interferences, possibility of greater selection through additional television programmes and new service, such as digital teletext, interactive services, electronic programme guide (EPG), and HDTV.

 

For successful implementation of this Strategy, the key issues refer to planning, supervision and application of digital tv system, financing and informing of the public. Therefore, the purpose of this Strategy is to clearly define objectives for all interested parties who will, in any manner, participate in the process of transfer from analogue to digital television broadcasting, and to determine clear guidelines related to the tasks content and dynamics, activities and deadlines for their fulfilment.

 

Planned process of introducing digital television does not only refer to technological changes in television broadcasting. The fundamental task is to create, in the transfer period encompassed by this Strategy, conditions for increasing quality and scope of production and broadcasting of new programmes, thereby enriching the overall media space of the Republic of Croatia. In the forthcoming period will all television houses on national and local level as well as programme providers have at their disposal higher broadcasting capacity, which will enable to end users-viewers significantly larger and more diverse selection of programmes in comparison to the existing analogue television. It is important to emphasise that transfer to digital television does not only mean the start of work of existing television houses on digital platform, whereas the creation of environment enabling open and free media market, where other programme provider may also appear with their own programmes of public interest and of value to the society as a whole, complying thereby with transparency and non-discrimination principles.