China will launch its first digital high-resolution television channel and start nationwide broadcasting on January 1 next year.

The new channel of the China Central Television (CCTV) will be the first Chinese-language digital high-resolution channel in the world.

Based on digital technology of program producing and broadcasting, it will be a paid channel which produces pictures twice as clear as that of DVDs.

China DTV media Inc. Ltd, which provides technological support to the channel, collaborates with provincial network companies and high-resolution television set producers to ensure the smooth transmission and reception of the programs.

TV viewers will be able to watch a number of sporting events and concerts on the channel, including the 2006 Berlin Soccer World Cup.

The channel began to provide 15-hour pilot programs everyday since September in Hangzhou, capital of east China's Zhejiang Province. After the formal launching of the channel, it will offer 18-hour programs everyday.

According to a plan of the State Administration of Radio, Film and Television, China will start ground-based digital transmission throughout the country in 2008 and cease analogue broadcasting by 2015. The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will also be broadcast with digital technology.

(Xinhua News Agency November 14, 2005)