Digital terrestrial television in Bulgaria began in November 2004 in Sofia, Bulgaria with the launch of a free-to-air platform. Ever since then the Digital terrestrial tv network has grown to have networks all over Bulgaria.
History Bulgaria launched a free-to-air platform on Sofia region, starting in November 2004. The Communications Regulatory Commission (CRC) has said that it received 6 bids for the licence to build and operate Bulgaria's two nationwide DTT networks. A second licence tender for the operation of 3 DTT multiplexes was open until 27 May 2009. Following the closing of this process, Hannu Pro, part of Silicon Group, and with Baltic Operations has secured the license to operate three DTT multiplexes in Bulgaria by the country's Communications Regulatory Commission (CRC) Bulgaria completed the transition to digital broadcasting in September 2013.
The transition from analogue to digital terrestrial television (digitalization) in Bulgaria (initially with a deadline of December 31, 2012, as well as in other EU countries) was postponed initially to September 1, 2013, and then to September 30, 2013.
At the end of 2012, an information campaign on digitalization was launched
Simulcast First regular digital broadcast started on 1 March 2013. Analog broadcasting will be definitely terminated at 1 September 2013. The Simulcast period (time between digital broadcast switch-on and analog broadcast switch-off) will allow people time to buy new integrated Digital TVs or set-top boxes. On 30 September 2013 the simulcast period was officially put to an end.
Television and radio programmes broadcast through multiplexes + TV ChannelsMultiplexTV ChannelsBroadcast periodFormatLanguageMUX 1 (2013-2016)Bulgaria On AirMarch 1, 2013 - April 1, 201516x9BulgarianEvropa TVJuly 7, 2016 - November 1, 201616x9BulgarianFolklor TVJune 9, 2016 - November 1, 201616x9BulgarianMUX 2 (2013-Present)BNT 1December 10, 2016 - present16x9BulgarianBNT 216x9BulgarianBNT 316x9BulgarianbTVMarch 1, 2013 - present16x9BulgarianNOVA16x9BulgarianBulgaria On AirApril 1, 2015 - present16x9BulgarianTV7March 1, 2013 - December 11, 201516x9BulgarianNEWS7March 7, 2013 - December 11, 201516x9BulgarianbTV Lady +1*September 30, 2013 - May 27, 201416x9BulgarianRING.BG +1*16x9BulgarianDiema Family +1*September 30, 2013 - September 30, 20144x3BulgarianMUX 3 (2013-2016)BNT 1March 1, 2013 - December 10, 201616x9BulgarianBNT 1 HD16x9BulgarianBNT 24x3BulgarianBNT HDFebruary 7, 2014 - December 10, 201616x9BulgarianBNT WorldMarch 1, 2013 - March 2, 20134x3BulgarianMUX 12 Sofia (2013-Present)BNT 1March 1, 2013 - December 10, 201616x9BulgarianThe VoiceMarch 1, 2013 - December 202316x9Bulgarian, EnglishVTV (Vest TV)March 1, 2013 - November 1, 20164x3BulgarianAlfa TVApril 1, 2014 - May 2016; April 2018 - November 20204x3BulgarianBulgaria On AirApril 1, 2015 - present16x9BulgarianFen Folk TVDecember 2016 - 201716x9BulgarianEuronews Bulgaria (Formerly: TV Evropa)March 1, 2013 - July 7, 2016 November 1, 2016 - present16x9BulgarianFolklor TVDecember 2016 - present16x9BulgarianNOVA News (Formerly: Kanal 3)16x9Bulgarian Radio Channels +MultiplexRadio ChannelsBroadcast PeriodLanguageMUX 12 Sofia (2013-Present)BNR HorizonMarch 6th, 2013 - December 2016BulgarianBNT Hristo BotevMarch 6th, 2013 - December 2016Bulgarian * The program of the channels is broadcast on air with 1 hour delay (+1)
Technical information Standards chosen are DVB-T and MPEG4 AVC/H.264 compression format. DVB-T2 will not be used for now.
SFN Allotments in Bulgaria
+ Frequency of Channels by SFN Allotments Allotment Cities Multiplex Channel BUL01 - Vidin Belogradchik, Berkovitsa, Vidin, Vratsa, Lom MUX 1 32 MUX 2 49 MUX 3 53 BUL02 - Pleven Belene, Etropole, Lovech, Mezdra, Pleven, Pravets, Teteven, Troyan, Cherven bryag MUX 1 51 MUX 2 57 MUX 3 41 BUL03 - Ruse Veliko Tarnovo, Gabrovo, Dryanovo, Elena, Rousse, Svishtov, Sevlievo, Tryavna MUX 1 26 MUX 2 49 MUX 3 58 BUL04 - Shumen Veliki Preslav, Kaspichan, Kotel, Novi Pazar, Popovo, Razgrad, Silistra, Targovishte, Shumen MUX 1 28 MUX 2 40 MUX 3 51 BUL05 - Varna Beloslav, Byala, Varna, Dobrich, Obzor, Provadia, Tervel, Shabla MUX 1 22 MUX 2 29 MUX 3 27 BUL06 - Burgas Aytos, Ahtopol, Bourgas, Malko Tarnovo, Nesebar, Primorsko, Tsarevo MUX 1 42 MUX 2 47 MUX 3 55 BUL07 - Stara Zagora Elhovo, Karnobat, Nova Zagora, Sliven, Stara Zagora MUX 1 22 MUX 2 37 MUX 3 64 BUL08 - Kardzhali Dimitrovgrad, Ivailovgrad, Kardzhali, Svilengrad, Harmanli, Haskovo MUX 1 26 MUX 2 42 MUX 3 45 BUL09 - Plovdiv Kazanlak, Kostenets, Panagyurishte, Plovdiv MUX 1 25 MUX 2 35 MUX 3 41 BUL10 - Smolyan Batak, Velingrad, Dospat, Zlatograd, Smolyan MUX 1 34 MUX 2 49 MUX 3 58 BUL11 - Sofia Breznik, Dupnitsa, Zemen, Kyustendil, Samokov, Svoge, Sofia, Tran MUX 1 23 MUX 2 40 MUX 3 52 BUL12 - Sofia-grad Sofia MUX 1 23 MUX 2 40 MUX 3 52 MUX BUL12-1 64 BUL13 - Blagoevgrad Blagoevgrad, Gotse Delchev, Melnik, Razlog, Rila, Yakoruda MUX 1 31 MUX 2 29 MUX 3 33 BUL14 - Varna-grad Varna MUX 1 22 MUX 2 29 MUX 3 27 BUL15 - Strandzha /// MUX 1 42 MUX 2 47 MUX 3 55
Technical parameters of digital terrestrial television in Bulgaria • Standard: DVB-T
• Frequency range: Decimeter (UHF)
• Polarization: vertical
• Channel width: 8 MHz
• Guard interval: 1/4
• Code ratio (FEC): 2/3
• Modulation: 64QAM
• Transport rate: 19.91 Mbit/s
• Video encoding: MPEG-4
• Audio encoding SD programs: MPEG-1 Layer II
• Audio encoding HD programs: HE AAC
Sources