Indonesia sets digital TV deadline

The Indonesian government has set the deadline for implementing its digital TV broadcasting to 2018, writes The Jakarta Post.

The transition will save the frequency spectrum by up to 50% and will provide better sound and video quality compared to the existing analogue system.

Anang Ahmad Latif, head of television technology facilities sub-directorate at the Information Ministry, says both the government and TV operators are preparing regulations and infrastructure for the new era of TV broadcast.

Public radio and TV stations across the US will receive more than $10 million over the next two years to boost local news coverage as newspapers decline, states the Associated Press.

The Corporation for Public Broadcasting said last week that local journalism centres would be created in five regions. NPR and PBS stations in each region will jointly hire around 50 journalists to collaborate in covering issues such as immigration, agribusiness, the economy and healthcare.

The Corporation will provide $7.5 million for the project, while the stations involved contribute $3 million. Officials hope the arrangement will serve as a model for other stations while providing a leverage for private support.

The Saskatchewan Communications Network (SCN) is being closed down at the end of May, according to the Calgary Herald.

The funding cut is expected to save the provincial government $2.4 million in the 2010-2011 budget year and an estimated $5 million yearly.

SCN assets will be transferred to SaskTel, who will manage some of the services previously provided by SCN, such as satellite distance education classes, the Provincial Public Safety Telecommunications Network and the broadcast of the Legislative channel.