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- He said the Deputy Ministry underestimated the scale of the shift, leaving thousands of viewers without access to private channels.
- Private broadcasters had warned that the migration needed public information and safeguards to avoid disruption.
- Tsouroullis said the state failed to invest in terrestrial television infrastructure for 15 to 20 years and should have reinvested some of the €45 million from 5G frequency reallocations.
- Parliament agreed to a three-month parallel broadcasting period, with support measures for vulnerable groups and warnings to use only EU-certified decoders.
The government’s handling of the HD television transition lacked adequate preparation and planning, Sigma TV and DIAS Media Group CEO Chrysanthos Tsouroullis has said, after thousands of viewers lost access to private television channels following the switch to high-definition terrestrial broadcasting.
Speaking on Sigma TV’s Protoselido, Tsouroullis said Thursday’s parliamentary discussion had made it clear that the Deputy Ministry of Research, Innovation and Digital Policy had underestimated the scale of the transition.
He said private broadcasters had repeatedly warned during consultations that the migration required a comprehensive public information campaign and additional safeguards to prevent the disruption experienced in recent days.
Minister acknowledged mistakes
Tsouroullis noted that the responsible Deputy Minister had publicly acknowledged mistakes and committed to taking corrective action.
However, he argued that the problems were the result of years of underinvestment in Cyprus’ terrestrial television infrastructure rather than recent decisions alone.
According to Tsouroullis, the state had failed to make the necessary investments over the past 15 to 20 years, preventing the old and new broadcasting platforms from operating in parallel for a longer period to ensure a smoother transition.
He also pointed out that the state had received around €45 million from reallocating television frequencies for the rollout of 5G networks, arguing that part of those revenues should have been reinvested in modernising broadcasting infrastructure.
Economic impact on broadcasters
Tsouroullis described the situation as part of a broader culture of inaction within the public sector, saying delayed decision-making had contributed to the recent disruption.
He stressed that upgrading terrestrial digital television was necessary and aligned with standards adopted across Europe, adding that citizens are entitled to receive high-definition television services.
He also highlighted the impact on private broadcasters, noting that many viewers were unable to watch major live events, including the FIFA Club World Cup, resulting in lost audiences and advertising revenue.
Tsouroullis said broadcasters deliberately avoided escalating tensions with the government, choosing instead to prioritise restoring access for viewers as quickly as possible.
Three-month parallel broadcasting period
Following discussions in Parliament, Tsouroullis said the old and new broadcasting platforms will now operate simultaneously for approximately three months.
The transitional period is intended to give households enough time to complete the necessary upgrades and ensure a smoother migration to the new system.
He added that authorities have committed to examining financial support measures for vulnerable groups to help cover the cost of approved decoders or technical assistance.
Tsouroullis also urged the public to use only qualified technicians and purchase decoders carrying European Union certification, warning that uncertified devices discussed during the parliamentary debate had reportedly overheated, raising concerns over potential fire hazards.
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