"From the 26th, CTV's current frequency of channel 38 (607.25MHz) will be re-assigned to DTT, but until then, it is broadcasting on both analogue channels simultaneously. Viewers will have to re-tune their TV sets in order to pick up CTV on the new frequency," explains station manager, Karen Thorne.
DTT trial broadcasts will begin in April, with the full commercial launch of digital television due for September this year.
CTV intends to be one of the digital channels on offer in the DTT environment, but will continue broadcasting on the analogue platform until this mode of television transmission is switched off in December 2013.
"Initially, there was a problem with the strength of the signal on channel 67, but Sentech, the signal distribution company, has sorted this out with the installation of a more powerful transmitter. Viewers will now see the same quality of picture on the new channel as on the old one."
CTV reportedly boasts a loyal viewership of over 1.4 million Capetonians, but it faces the challenge of getting everyone to retune their TV sets by the switch-off date in late March.
"We are using this opportunity to launch an extensive marketing campaign to raise public awareness about the station's informative and entertaining programme line-up," adds Thorne.
The station is not available on DSTV and can be watched by anyone with a UHF (grid-type) aerial pointed towards the transmitter site on Tygerberg. CTV can also be viewed online at www.capetowntv.org.
