What Format is Needed to Watch Cuban Television?

The most important development area in Cuban television currently is the migration to digital media, a complex and costly process that involves a significant shift in mindset. This transformation requires a change in formats, media, and production methods, necessitating more training for everyone involved in television production, from managers to the most basic workers.

Investment has focused on the most critical areas. The country now has a transmission platform with 10 digital channels: eight in standard format and two in HD. From a production standpoint, Cuba has three HD studios, a central master control room, an international operations center, and three HD mobile units. There’s also an infrastructure of portable cameras covering all national and territorial channels, which will now extend to municipal channels.

These advancements have improved image quality, allowing for higher definition broadcasting. While the investment process for technological adaptation began five years ago, challenges remain, such as offering television with additional features like programming guides and associated data. Over 90% of the country has digital television coverage, and efforts are being made to acquire set-top boxes so people can watch higher quality programming. This widespread access to quality programming is paramount for Cuban television.