SBS Finland Oy and Digita Oy, the leading Finnish distributors of radio and television services, have made an agreement on the distribution of The Voice channel in the mobile television network. The only Finnish 24/7 television channel broadcasting music for young people will launch mobile television broadcasts in the beginning of 2007. The Voice TV reaches over 700,000 viewers.
“The youth are eager to try everything new. It is wonderful that we can broadcast television and radio content interesting enough for young people from the very beginning,” says Managing Director Sirpa Ojala from Digita.
Digita and SBS Finland have recently announced the launching of the digital Kiss radio channel in the mobile television network.
”We in SBS consider the mobile television network an important distribution channel for The Voice TV. Thanks to mobile television, popular music programmes can be watched almost anywhere. Watching television no longer depends on the time or the place,” says Managing Director Leena Ryynänen from SBS Finland.
Mobile television network opened for operation in the beginning of December
Digita, as the network operator, will be responsible for the broadcasting network made using the DVB-H technology (Digital Video Broadcasting Handheld) and for the administration of channels in the network. The mobile television network will be opened in the beginning of December and will cover a wide area in the Helsinki region, as well as the Turku and Oulu regions, which is over 25 percent of people living in Finland.
The network in the Tampere region will be opened after the analogous network is closed on 1 September 2007, after which the mobile television network covers as much as 32 percent of the Finnish population. At the beginning of December 2007, the coverage will be 40 percent.
New mobileTV phones from several different manufacturers will enter the markets in the near future. For the end user, the new network will offer, for example, radio and television broadcasts, games and interactive services.
Mobiilitv.fi website opened
Further information on the mobile television network can be found in Digita’s network service at www.mobiilitv.fi. The services offer current information on the mobile television network, coverage areas, content creators, markets, terminal devices and call service for the consumers. The website will be opened on 1 December 2006. The content of the site will be developed along with the network rollout and as the service expands.
Further information on a service number
As of 4 December 2006, basic questions on the mobile television network can be asked from a national MobileTV info telephone targeted towards the consumers at +358 (0)306 344 489. The service answers questions related to mobile television from 9.00 a.m. to 4.00 p.m. Monday through Friday. The price of a call from a fixed phone is 8.21 cents per call and 1.16 cents per minute. The price for calling from a mobile phone is 29.7 cents per minute. Questions can also be sent by e-mail to info@mobiilitv.fi.
Digita / Communications
Background information:
Digita Oy is the leading Finnish distributor of radio and television services, and an important developer of data communication networks and network infrastructure. Digita's nationwide organization ensures the high quality of services 24 hours a day. Digita's customers include television and radio broadcasting companies, as well as mobile and broadband operators. The company's turnover was 97 million euros in 2005 and it employs 380 people. Digita is part of the international TDF Group.
www.digita.fi / info@digita.fiwww.digitv.fi / info@digitv.fiwww.mobiilitv.fi / info@mobiilitv.fi
SBS Finland Oy is the most diverse and innovative radio operator in Finland. SBS Finland operates three regional radio channels, Uusi KISS, Iskelmä and Radio City and four local radio channels: Radio 957, Radio Sata, Radio Jyväskylä and Radio Mega. In addition, SBS Finland owns The Voice TV channel. The company’s turnover was 15 million in 2005 and it employs 120 radio and television professionals. SBS Finland Oy is a part of SBS Broadcasting, the second largest electronic operator in Europe.
The Voice TV is the only 24/7 music television channel in Finland. The domestic content of the music played in the channel is a minimum of 30%. In Finland, The Voice TV can be viewed in the coverage area of the digital multiplex C. The channel is free of charge and it can be viewed using any set-top box. In addition, SBS owns Canal+, whose five payTV channels can be viewed, in addition to multiplex C, via satellite or cable television.
www.sbs.fi / www.sbsbroadcasting.com