Digital switchover in Serbia in a comparative perspective

The deadline for the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting in Serbia is scheduled for June 2015. The aim of this article is to present the development of the digitalization process in Serbia from 2006 until 2014, and the current state a year prior to the deadline for analogue broadcasting switch-off. Considering technical, legislative, broadcasting, economic and social aspects of the process, this article argues that digital switchover in Serbia has been delayed due to the state’s inconsistent decision-making regarding the transition to digital and the lack of preparedness of each of the state, broadcasters and citizens. The delay in analogue switch-off shall be discussed in comparison with the digital transition in the successor states of the former Yugoslavia: Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Montenegro and Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, countries that share common historical, social and cultural contexts with Serbia.