To address the confusion and operational complexities faced by users due to the broadcasting of ultra-high-definition channels in 2025 by Beijing, Guangdong, and eight other provinces, where the same channel is available in different technical formats (ultra-high-definition, high-definition, standard-definition) occupying multiple channel numbers, the National Radio and Television Administration released the "Technical Implementation Guide for Unified Channel Numbering of Cable Television (2025 Edition)" in November 2025. This guide is based on the preliminary experiences of Beijing Gehua Cable, Shenzhen Tianwei Video, and China Broadcasting Shandong Company. It proposes aChannel Number Mapping Schemeto unify the channel numbers of the same broadcast channel with different format signals into a single number. The receiving terminal willautomatically select the highest technical format signal for playbackbased on its own decoding capabilities. Additionally, transmission agencies are required to transmit channel number mapping information and upgrade terminal software. The guide also clarifies the playback process after unification of channel numbers and provides three implementation cases, aiming to significantly enhance the user viewing experience.
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