MediaCorp goes digital

Singaporean broadcaster MediaCorp is launching its free-to-air channels in digital and some of that boutique in high definition.

The digital roll out has started in the western Singaporean town of Bukit Batok and will continue over the next two to three years.

Mediacorp said that four out of the seven channels – Channel 5, Channel 8, Suria and Vasantham – will also be broadcast in HD. The remaining free-to-air channels – Channel NewsAsia, Channel U and okto – will launch in the high-resolution format by 2016.

The analogue signal will continue to be broadcaster as the digital conversion takes place.

Chang Long Jong, MediaCorp deputy CEO said: “Besides better picture and sound quality, digital TV allows MediaCorp to consider rolling out other value-add services and features for the discerning audiences of today such as closed captions and multi-language subtitles.”

MediaCorp also plans to offer time-shifted services as the digital roll out progresses.