ISDB-T International - Multiprogram Feature

Multiprogram Feature

This innovative feature of the ISDB-T standard allows a consumer to watch three different programs at once, or in a sports match, it is possible to watch the game from the point of view of different cameras. The Brazilian Ministry of Communication prevented commercial broadcast companies from using this feature; only public DTV channels are allowed to use it. This decision was taken because Multiprogram could allow unauthorized use of the TV broadcast band. To start with, the Ministry of Communication informed it was being created required legal support to allow the use of such feature, but later decided that the feature will be blocked until new studies are performed. Rede Globo (one of the main Brazilian TV broadcasters) and ABRA (Association of Broadcasting Companies) are pushing the Ministry to keep the Multiprogram feature blocked because it will impact the current TV business model, reducing revenues from advertising. However, once users see the benefit of the Multiprogram feature, some organizations are asking the Ministry of Communication to allow its use by all broadcasters. Some broadcasters, using a different business model from that used by Rede Globo, are asking the Federal Superior Court to decide if the Multiprogram blockage is legal.

Only federal government TV channels are allowed to use Multiprogram in Brazil today. TV Cultura, a public television from the state of São Paulo, obtained special authorization (for educational purposes only) and is currently using this feature to broadcast four different video programs. Besides the HDTV and the one-segment (handheld) streams, an additional archive program (Multicultura) and the Virtual University channel (UNIVESP) have been on air since August 2009.

In Japan Multiprogram has being successful the launch of ISDB-T there.