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The Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources, Mr. Pat Rabbitte, TD, welcomed the publication today of the BAI’s Report on its search for new services for Saorview, Ireland’s free to air digital terrestrial television network.

The findings of the report clearly highlight a widespread interest in providing new services on the Saorview network. These services would be additional to the existing range of services currently available on Saorview and could be available as early as mid-2012. A number of new radio channels may be possible in the shorter term.

Expressions of Interest were received from a number of parties including TG4, TV3, community television, several music TV channels, individuals and several radio channels. The Oireachtas and the Irish Film Board indicated their continued interest in the development of an Oireachtas Channel and an Irish Film channel respectively, subject to funding.

In welcoming the publication of the report, the Minister said, "I am delighted that this report shows that there is a clear interest in the development of Saorview from both existing broadcasters and potential new entrants to the Irish broadcasting sector.

I will continue to work with the BAI to progress this process and to identify proposals for consideration for carriage on the RTÉ Saorview network. In this regard I will be contact those who received positive recommendations from the BAI with further information".

The Minister added, "There are an estimated 250,000 households reliant on the analogue TV network and at least another 250,000 homes who use the network on secondary TV sets or as a back up to their pay TV service. These homes will need to upgrade to digital TV, either by purchasing a Saorview TV or set top box or by moving to a subscription TV service, before the analogue TV network closes in Q4 2012."