The activity organized by the National Television Council and the School of Journalism of the University of La Serena, sought to inform the community of the status of progress of the law that modifies the current regulations, delving into the concession system.

Regional and university authorities, academics, students, representatives of the local media and guests from independent production companies, among others, filled the Television Studio of the School of Journalism of the Faculty of Cs. Social and Economic Affairs of the University of La Serena to participate in the interesting talk "Contents and scope of the new Digital Television law", which allowed attendees to internalize regarding a fundamental change that will be implemented in our country and that not only has relevance in the technological aspect, but also in relation to signals, financing and content.

The director of the School of Journalism of the ULS, Dr. Arlyn Orellana, welcomed the attendees, highlighting the role that future professionals in communications and social sciences will have regarding the development of content and the protection of the rules and statutes that will be implemented once the law comes into effect.

Subsequently, Felipe Ahumada Morasky, lawyer from the Legal Department of the National Television Council, detailed the scope and content of the bill that allows the introduction of digital terrestrial television (DTT).

According to what was indicated by the professional, to date, this initiative that introduces Digital Terrestrial Television (TVD Law - Bulletin No. 6190-19), is in its last constitutional process, after having approved some of the amendments made by the Executive, which must be analyzed by the Constitutional Court.

The aforementioned legal text modifies Law No. 18.838 that creates the National Television Council (CNTV), adapting the current regulations to the change from analog to digital platform in the transmission of television signals, expanding its supervisory and regulatory powers.

In this sense, the CNTV not only has powers and powers, but is also an organization that must ensure the correct functioning of the system of freely received television broadcasting concessions, which is considerably expanded in number given that the number of frequencies available.

That is why the organization is currently carrying out dissemination work regarding the proposed modifications and how they will influence the content, forms of access and quality of television programming in Chile, which goes from a current model with the existence of a only type of operator of free reception television services to one where operators can transmit their own content, third-party content or incorporate other services such as program guides or emergency reports.

Regarding programming and content, a topic long debated in previous instances, the regulations modify the current structure of the Audiovisual Development Fund, a competitive fund intended for the financing of television content, as its object or purpose is expanded and the duty to listen is established. prior to the allocation of resources to the National Council of Culture and the Arts. In addition, a tiered system of benefits is established for regional, local and community channels. Likewise, it seeks to establish values ​​such as inclusion, establishing the legal obligation that the programs financed by the fund include closed captioning, thus allowing access to people with some type of disability.

Regarding content, the weekly cultural programming hours that must be broadcast by television channels are extended to 4 and the concept of "cultural" programming is configured at a legal level, seeking to establish a standard parameter that allows channels to subscribe to a frame of reference and viewers to access a greater amount of quality content. In addition, the obligation for concessionaires to broadcast public utility campaigns approved by the National Television Council is established.

As specialists admit, perhaps the most relevant modification of the bill has to do with the reformulation of the concession system related to free-to-air television broadcasting. In this sense, new categories of concessionaires (national, regional, local and community) are created and the possibility of operating concessions with own or third party resources is established. In this regard, article 13 bis (Antenna Fund) is repealed and transferred under a new configuration to the Undersecretary of Telecommunications.

A point that has also generated great controversy is the regulation of consented retransmission, that is, the possibility that "open channels" negotiate the terms in which the licensees of limited television services (cable operators and satellite ) will retransmit their broadcasts. Likewise, limited television services are required to carry a minimum of open regional, local or community signals.

Ahumada also stated that as a regulatory entity, the maximum amount of fines that the National Television Council can apply is increased (up to 1000 UTM in the case of national concessionaires).

Finally, it should be noted that the final text has not yet been approved and it is possible that changes will be made to the articles, which makes it necessary to monitor the changes that the project undergoes already in its third process before becoming Law.

The day concluded with a round of questions from the attendees, which allowed clarifying certain concepts that still generate controversy or doubts in the community. In addition, the concessionaires of communications companies were expectant of the duties and rights that those who want to access a signal or seek to create programming for the country's diverse audiences will have, especially for regional viewers.