KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak today launched the country's initiative to kickstart its foray into digital terrestrial television (DTT) through myFreeview's free service available nationwide.
MYTV Broadcasting Sdn Bhd (MYTV) has been appointed by the government to develop and operate the infrastructure and network of DTT in the country.
In his speech, Najib said the service is expected to bridge the digital gap in Malaysia as the country gears towards being a developed nation.
"We are moving from analogue, towards digitalisation. This is to close the digital gap in our country.
"With analogue, we can only have one channel in a single spectrum. But with digital, we can have 15 channels in the same spectrum," Najib said.
He said viewers now could enjoy high definition shows for free, courtesy free-to-air broadcast companies such as Media Prima Bhd and agency Radio Televisyen Malaysia.
Najib said as of now the government and MYTV would provide free myFreeview decoders to 4.2 million households listed under BR1M.
A live broadcast of the launch was shown on TV9 and RTM2.