RTÉ and Eircom have submitted a joint bid to manage and provide the content for the proposed digital terrestrial television service, writes Emmet Oliver.
The Government-backed service will be trialed for two years and a decision will be then be made on whether to set up a more permanent system.
Denis O'Brien's Communicorp is also bidding, as are Sky Ireland and Chellomedia, a division of cable giant Liberty Global.
BT have already been chosen to provide the technological platform for the new trial service, but the Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and the Department of Communications will now assess the applications received to be content manager. They will announce a winner in October and the service will start next year.
The content manager will provide the programming and interactive services available on the platform.
The value of the contract for the trial is negligible, but the winner would be in a strong position to be the content manager for a permanent digital service.
Digital television is expected, by most observers, to become the dominant television technology. Several European governments are planning to switch off the old analog system between now and 2012.
Digital allows viewers to receive far more channels than possible with analog.
While there is contrasting views about just how much demand there is for digital television and some people talk about "digital refuseniks", the Government is committed to developing a digital TV platform.
About 1,000 homes will have set top boxes installed so they can pick up the new trial service.
It is believed RTÉ is offering to simulcast its two channels on the trial service, but with interactive elements, while Eircom will offer a broadband capability. Eircom may also provide additional content.
A spokesman for one of the other applicants, TV One Broadband said yesterday the company had several well resourced backers for its plans, but they could not be named at this time. USP Ireland is an independent production house run by Ivan Nolan, who works as a DJ Dusty Rhodes.
This group is believed to be backed by Martin Block, the founder of Lite FM, among others.
