Mexico To Adopt The ATSC DTV Standard – Press Release

Posted on July 7, 2004 in Press Releases

For Immediate Release

Mexico City, Mexico, July 7, 2004 – On July 2 the Government of Mexico formally adopted the ATSC Digital Television (DTV) Standard for digital terrestrial television broadcasting. ATSC DTV standards provide a wealth of applications, including high-definition television (HDTV), multiple simultaneous programs of standard-definition television (SDTV), multi-channel surround-sound digital audio, and a multitude of data broadcasting and interactive services.

“Mexico’s adoption will prove a tremendous benefit for North American DTV viewers and consumers, as well as the DTV industry as a whole,” said Phil Livingston, ATSC Chairman.

Adoption of the ATSC Standard is contained within a detailed policy document for DTV broadcasting issued by Mexico’s Secretary of Communications and Transportation. The policy is based on recommendations developed by a government and industry consultative committee following an October 2003 directive from President Vicente Fox.

“With several experimental ATSC DTV stations successfully on the air in Mexico, we are pleased with the official announcement that allows us to move forward with our fellow broadcasters to transition all of North America in the digital age,” remarked Leonardo Ramos, Televisa’s Director of High Technology Projects. “By December 31, 2006, commercial DTV services will be in Mexico’s three largest cities: Mexico City, Guadalajara and Monterrey, as well as in certain cities along the Mexico-US border.”

Michael McEwen, Secretary General of the North America Broadcasters Association said, “We are set for an historic leap in North America, with a market of well over 400 million consumers, consumer DTV equipment will have the advantage of the economies of scale of a huge mass market. Likewise broadcasters and manufacturers will benefit from similar economies. And most of all, viewers throughout North America will benefit by having great pictures, superb sound and the future of interactive TV.”

“Mexican broadcasters have been involved in our standards development process for fifteen years. Mexico, together with Canada, participated in the decade-long U.S. DTV standards development process that selected the ATSC DTV Standard. We are extremely pleased with this announcement and look forward to their ongoing participation in ATSC standards work,” said Mark Richer, ATSC President.

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) approved the major elements of the ATSC DTV Standard in December 1996. Since then, the ATSC DTV Standard has been adopted by the governments of Canada (November 1997), South Korea (November 1997), and Argentina (October 1998).

The Advanced Television Systems Committee, Inc. is an international, non-profit organization developing voluntary standards for digital television. ATSC member organizations represent the broadcast, broadcast equipment, motion picture, consumer electronics, computer, cable, satellite, and semiconductor industries.

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Contact:
Lisa Hester, ATSC at (202) 872-9160

Posted in Press Releases