The government is considering temporarily restoring Cyprus’ previous television broadcasting platform alongside the new system, following widespread reception problems that left thousands of households unable to access private television channels.
Deputy Minister of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy Nicodemos Damianou said officials were awaiting technical confirmation before deciding whether the old platform could be reactivated during a transitional period.
Temporary parallel operation
Speaking on Omega Channel’s Aichmes programme, Damianou said the proposed arrangement would allow the old and new broadcasting systems to operate simultaneously for a limited period.
The measure would give affected viewers additional time to make any necessary changes to their antennas, amplifiers, wiring or television decoders.
Restoring the previous platform would not mean abandoning the transition to the new television standard. Instead, it is being examined as a temporary measure to ensure households retain access to private channels while technical problems are addressed.
Problems greater than anticipated
Damianou acknowledged that the scale of the reception difficulties had been underestimated and that the transition had proved more complex than initially expected.
The changeover led to complaints from viewers who experienced poor reception or a complete loss of signal, while some households were required to replace or adjust existing equipment.
Further technical changes examined
Authorities are also considering other options to improve reception under the new system, including possible changes to certain broadcasting parameters.
Any intervention would first have to be assessed in relation to its cost, technical implications and impact on the wider transition plan, Damianou said.
