Government and Hellas Sat address digital television reception issues in Cyprus

On July 16, 2026, the Parliamentary Committee on Transport held an emergency session to address widespread television reception issues following the transition to a new digital platform managed by Hellas Sat. Deputy Minister of Innovation Nikodemos Damianou acknowledged that the government failed to fully anticipate how the new technical standards would affect existing home infrastructure, including damaged wiring. As a result, the government has extended the parallel transmission of the old signal for three months starting July 9. Technical adjustments to the new network, specifically regarding signal sensitivity, are scheduled for implementation starting early next week to improve home access without sacrificing high-definition quality. Lawmakers criticized the government for the technical failures, with some calling for an investigation into potential price gouging and reports of overheating decoders. The Ministry is currently considering potential financial support for citizens who have incurred significant costs due to these technical problems. Cyprus was the last European country to undergo this necessary platform transition after the previous 15-year license expired.