On May 18, Ushachi / Diana Kurilo - BELTA /. A program to provide socially vulnerable segments of the population with digital television receivers will be developed in Belarus by order of the President. This was announced today to journalists during a direct telephone line with residents of Ushachi District by the Minister of Information of Belarus Oleg Proleskovsky, BELTA correspondent reports. Belarus is transitioning to digital broadcasting on January 1, 2015. Currently, digital broadcasting covers 90% of the country's territory, but only a small part of the population has access to it, the minister stated. This is due to the fact that most viewers have analog TV sets and lack receivers for digital signals. The Ministry of Information intends to actively promote digital broadcasting. "This is a new stage in the development of information technologies and a new quality of services. Digital television will allow, in the future, to create your own evening, i.e., to compile your own broadcasting schedule, including programs from different channels that can be watched at a convenient time," explained Oleg Proleskovsky. In addition, the digital signal will allow for an increase in the number of receivable channels. Speaking about the cost of digital television services, Oleg Proleskovsky expressed confidence that the price will not be higher than the current analog broadcasting transmission services. As for the multiplex - a set of television channels transmitted via one digital channel - it will be free of charge. Moreover, unlike the first multiplex, which is currently received, the second and third, according to the minister, will be formed based on the interests of the majority of viewers through public discussion. It is expected that on the website of the Ministry of Information, anyone will be able to cast their vote for a particular channel that claims to be included in the multiplex. Oleg Proleskovsky drew the attention of the mass media to the need for wider advertising of digital television. During the direct line, Oleg Proleskovsky answered several questions from residents of Ushachi District. In particular, the discussion concerned digital television, the quality of musical broadcasts on FM stations, and television advertising. -0-

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