Welcome to SAORVIEW
(October 29, 2010)
In spring 2011, RTÉ will launch a new free-to-air digital television service named SAORVIEW.
Digital television has been available as a satellite subscription service across the country and as a cable subscription service in certain parts of the country for a number of years. SAORVIEW will be Ireland’s first free-to-air national digital television service.
On the 29th of October 2010, SAORVIEW will be turned on as a trial service. From that date, RTÉ One, RTÉ Two, TV3, TG4 and RTÉ News Now will be broadcast as trial digital services. More channels, services and enhancements will follow as part of the full launch of the SAORVIEW service in spring 2011.
In turning on the trial service, RTÉ Director-General, Cathal Goan said:
“SAORVIEW is a major step change in Irish broadcasting, offering viewers across the country: more channels; high definition (HD) pictures; higher quality sound; on-screen programme menus and digital teletext – all free-to-air. When the full service is launched next year I believe it will be a very attractive proposition for TV viewers.”
“The SAORVIEW service is an important piece of national digital infrastructure. From a national economic perspective, moving to digital will free up valuable space for other important communications services such as broadband, mobile TV or other mobile services. I am proud that RTÉ is playing a critical role in this important evolution.”
RTÉ One, RTÉ Two, TV3 and TG4 will continue to be available via the existing analogue signal until the end of 2012, the final date the EU has mandated for Analogue Switch Off (ASO).
Note: ‘saor’ is the Irish word for ‘free’
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