SARFT, 6 TV Stations to Jointly Operate Trial 3D TV Channel
21st Century Business Herald, 12/07/11
The State Administration of Radio, Film and Television's (SARFT) Department of Science and Technology announced yesterday it will lead a group of six television stations - CCTV, Beijing TV (BTV), Radio and Television Shanghai (RTS), Tianjin Radio and TV, Jiangsu TV, and Shenzhen TV - to invest in and run China's first experimental 3D television channel. The new channel will begin trial broadcasts as of the start of 2012, and will begin official broadcasts for the Chinese New Year holiday in late January.
SARFT's Department of Science and Technology and Department of Media convened a planning meeting for the 3D TV trial channel in October of this year. More than ten television stations took part in the meeting; SARFT later winnowed down the number to six initial 3D TV investors by choosing stations with preferable technology, broadcast equipment, and programming content reserves.
At present, the six stations have established a 3D channel workgroup, and could conceivably establish a joint venture to operate the 3D channel if trial broadcasts and viewership prove positive. As yet there has been no decision on whether or not the 3D channel will be free to view.
Keywords: Radio and Television Shanghai television BTV CCTV SARFT Shenzhen TV 3D TV investment Science and Technology Department JV