Residents in Beijing will soon be able to enjoy digital TV programs and receive free digital set-top boxes.

Officials from Beijing Broadcast and Media TV Company made the announcement at a forum on digital technologies at the 4th World Summit on Internet and Multimedia held in Beijing.

They said finance of the Digital TV service in Beijing will be backed by the local government and enterprises, reported China Radio International.

Chaoyang district in the city will be the first place to broadcast the digital TV programs.

(CRI October 20, 2004)