Moshe Kahlon
Photo: Motti Kimchi
DTT
Photo: Dtown
Kahlon seeks end to high cable rates
Knesset approves expansion of free DTT to 18 channels instead of five. Communications minister: Free multi-channel TV in Israel is too expensive
By the end of 2012, the free terrestrial transmission network will increase to 18 channels instead of only five. The Knesset plenum approved the expansion of DTT, also known as Idan+ is a digital terrestrial transmission network, which allows users who choose not to subscribe to any of the cable companies to receive Israel’s
free-to-air channels – 1, 2, 10, 33 and 99.
In the upcoming months radio channels will be added to the DTT and by the end of the year an HD Channel 1 will join in. By the end of 2013, theme channels will be available to the public for free.
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The Communications Ministry has also been in talks with HOT and YES about a limited TV package, which hopefully can be distributed to Israeli consumers in the upcoming months for the price of NIS 100-120 ($26-32).
"Free multi-channel television for all," announced Communications Minister Moshe Kahlon on Wednesday.
"Today we've put an end to paying NIS 3,600 ($963) per year to cable and satellite services and by the end of the year more channels will be added to Idan+. It's still not an equal competition with HOT or YES but it's competition nonetheless. The consumers will have an alternative."
The channels which will be added to the digital converter are: Channel 24, Israeli Educational Television, Channel 9, the Arabic Channel, the Heritage Channel and HD channels. They will be funded by advertisements and not by the monthly payment.
"We're also working to add theme channels," said Kahlon. "The DTT will have theme channels. We'll perfect this plan so it may benefit hundreds of homes."
