Science and Technology Daily:

What progress and achievements have been made in domestic high-definition (HD) and ultra-high-definition (UHD) television? What are the next considerations in promoting the development of UHDTV? Thank you.

Zhu Yonglei:

HDTV and UHDTV is a hot topic nowadays. In recent years, we have taken the promotion of HDTV and UHDTV development as an important measure for the high-quality and innovative development of the radio, television, and online audio and video industry, and has achieved certain results.

In terms of policy support and guidance, last year the NRTA issued Guidelines on Further Accelerating the Development of HDTV and UHDTV, which stipulated that by the end of 2025, TV stations at and above the prefecture level and qualified county-level TV stations should fully complete the transition from standard-definition to high-definition, basically shut down standard-definition channels, HDTV should become the basic TV broadcast format, and UHDTV channels and program supply should take shape. This sends a clear message to the industry with an explicit timetable, which effectively promotes the supply of HD and UHD content, network construction and availability of terminals. The development of domestic HDTV and UHDTV has effectively promoted relevant industrial development. According to statistics, the scale of China's HDTV and UHDTV industry exceeded 3 trillion yuan last year.

In terms of UHDTV content production, eight 4K resolution channels and two 8K resolution channels have been launched across the country. The UHD production and broadcasting system has been basically established. Some radio and television production and transmission institutions have produced and reserved tens of thousands of hours of UHD programs. Major online audio and video platforms have opened both 4K and 8K sections, providing UHDTV series, variety shows and other programs.

In terms of HD and UHD program transmission, we have carried out the construction of a national network of cable TV and fiber-optic and IP-based upgrades, accelerated the replacement and intelligent updates of UHD set-top boxes, and increased the coverage of IPTV UHD set-top boxes. China's direct-to-home (DTH) platform has developed rapidly in HD, and has provided 31channels of HD programs to DTH users across the country.

In terms of key technology research and development, we are actively promoting independent research and development of UHD key technology, standards, and independent production of equipment. China has made important breakthroughs in key technical fields such as high dynamic range, three-dimensional sound, UHD smart TV operating systems, and high-efficiency video coding, and has put them into industrial operation.

Going forward, the NRTA will encourage TV stations at all levels, and film and TV production institutions to actively use the UHDTV format to produce programs, support TV stations in launching UHD channels, improve the transmission coverage of UHD programs, and better meet the people's new needs and expectations for a better life.

Thank you.