The transition to high-definition television is a process by which standard-definition (SD) television signals are upgraded to a high-definition (HD) format. In this process, channels usually either simulcast their HD signals alongside the existing SD signals or broadcast exclusively in HD. The transition to the latter is often called the standard-definition television switch-off. In most territories worldwide, the complete shutdown of the lower-resolution signals has not yet begun or is still in its early stages, notably in the many countries still undergoing the analogue switch-off. In territories and services where SD signals have already ceased, television sets that do not support terrestrial HD signals are required to be replaced or equipped with set-top boxes compatible with HD signals. In some cases, this switch-off has led to a high demand for new set-top boxes and TV sets, resulting in shortages.
Transition to HD and SD switch-off now completed
In Asia Brunei: Radio Television Brunei began incorporating HD channels by 2010 and fully migrated all its channels to HD digital service on 1 January 2018. Indonesia: As of 11 July 2025, all of the Indonesian native channels are now available to air in high definition. Singapore: On 10 June 2006, Singapore became the first country in Southeast Asia to begin trials of high-definition television service, involving MediaCorp and cable provider StarHub. The beginning of the trials coincided with the 2006 FIFA World Cup, with StarHub launching HD service for 1,000 participants. It would carry all matches from the tournament in HD, and then two HD trial channels afterward. MediaCorp would launch its terrestrial trial service just over a week later 18 June, carrying a part-time service in prime time with a mix of original and acquired HD programming and films (some of which simulcast from Channel 5), with its inaugural broadcast featuring the film The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. On 11 November 2007, the trial service was relaunched as HD5, an HD simulcast of Channel 5. MediaCorp also tested interactive television. In June 2012, after a trial conducted by Mediacorp and StarHub in Ang Mo Kio and Bedok, the Media Development Authority officially announced that Singapore would adopt the DVB-T2 standard, with Mediacorp aiming to make all seven of its free-to-air channels available in digital by the end of 2013, with Channel 5, 8, Suria, and Vasantham also being in high definition. The member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) agreed to complete their transitions by 2020. As of 11 July 2025, all of the Singaporean native channels are now available to air in high definition.
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