Beijing Satellite TV is Beijing TV's integrated satellite channel, referred to as BTV - 1, formerly Beijing TV set. It began to transmit by satellite on January 1, 1998, and broadcast 24 hours a day in 1999. It was renamed as Beijing Satellite TV on January 1, 2008. On September 28, 2009, Beijing TV started high-definition channel broadcast, the audience can receive BTV-1 high-definition signal through high-definition set-top box or high-definition interactive set-top box. Beijing Satellite TV realizes high, standard clear channel to broadcast synchronously in 2010. Beijing TV Station (BTV) was established on May 16, 1979. In June 2001, the former Beijing TV Station merged with the former Beijing cable radio stations TV Station to become one of the most influential and competitive mainstream media in China, covering Beijing, China, North America and Asia. The country's total population covers more than 250 million people.