The announcement was made at a press conference where some of the channels to be included in the new service were previewed, including short snippets from three different Discovery channels – focusing on different themes, the History channel and a new selection of cartoon channels. Football fans will have six live-feeds from the Italian Serie A and the British Premier league for which, Mr Gasan explained, Melita Cable has contracted exclusive rights.
Asked about the price and the exact date when digital TV will be launched, Mr Gasan said that the company had still not fixed the prices as it was waiting for the results of a survey it was conducting among a sample of Maltese families. He did emphasise, however, that the aim of the company is to provide an affordable service. Those currently subscribing to the family pack will not see a drastic increase, despite being offered extra 15 channels.
Regarding the official launch date, he said that given the complexity of the project, both from a technical and financial aspect, the company felt that it could not set a fixed date as yet. He added, however, that it will certainly be in the first quarter of 2005.
Viewers will finally be able to listen to channels which broadcast their programmes in stereo in this form rather than the present mono, he said. In addition, digital technology will also bring improved picture quality. Asked by The Malta Independent whether the system will be interactive – by which viewers can participate in polls or interactive marketing schemes – Mr Gasan said that that this technology will not be introduced straightaway but will be included at later date.
Asked about the investment Melita Cable will be making in the new technology, Mr Gasan said that he could not say exactly how much the whole project will cost as it was an ongoing investment. So far, the company has invested some Lm26 million in its infrastructure, which it had to upgrade to be able to instal the new digital technology, he explained. The first wave of equipment scheduled to be added to the present infrastructure will cost in the region of Lm1 million.