Fayzulla Yunusov, first deputy chairperson of National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan, said that High-Definition Television (HDTV) is high quality television broadcasting standard, which is based on modern standards of image and voice compression.

He said that only digital technologies, based on video and audio compression, are used in HD television.

“In the result of the adopted measures, in recent years powerful, modern production-technical base of television and radio broadcasting has been created at National Television and Radio Company of Uzbekistan (NTRC).” He said that the company reconstructed transmit-receive network with the use of information-communication technologies.

Yunusov underlined that modern digital equipment and media technologies are introduced at production and formation of the TV programmes. He added that Media Center of the NTRC has been completed and it is equipped with modern digital equipment and technologies, which allow to produce high quality TV programmes.

He said that Uz.HD television channel was created for effective use of opportunities of Media Center. He said that Uz.HD channel will be filled with content, created on the principle of post-production of the best programmes, documentaries, and films on culture, history, art, sights and nature of Uzbekistan, local soap operas, and others, created by Uzbektelefilm and NTRC.

Fayzulla Yunusov stated that Uz.HD channel will broadcast programmes within 24 hours. The programmes will be created based on interests of the audience, he added.

It was noted at the press conference in Tashkent that the people will require TV-set with FULL HD support or special digital TV-tuner.

Shomansur Abidkhodjaev, director-general of Center for radio communication, broadcasting and television, said that Uz.HD channel now works in Tashkent city and part of Tashkent region and in future will cover all Uzbekistan. At the stage, some US$1 million were directed to the project.

It was noted that currently citizens of Tashkent city, Tashkent region, Samarkand region, Bukhara region, Khorezm region, Andijan region, Namangan region, Ferghana region, Kashkadarya region and Karakalpakstan can watch 12 television channels in digital format, buying TV-set or digital tuner. Seven of these channels are Uzbek channels. Currently, digital television covers 36.7% of population of Uzbekistan.

Speaking about development of digital television in Uzbekistan, Abidkhodjaev said that it is planned to cover all large cities of Uzbekistan by 2015 and all Uzbekistan by 2018.