Peers warn of backlash fears over digital radio

The government could face a public backlash over its plans to switch national radio stations over to digital transmission, peers have warned.

The Communications Committee of the House of Lords says there is "public confusion and industry uncertainty".

It said people were still buying analogue radios which will be out of date in a few years' time.

The government has set a target date of 2015 for national and regional radio stations to switch over from FM and AM.

But the committee has warned there could be a "major public reaction" against the plans unless ministers explain what is happening and address listeners' concerns.

It says between 50 and 100 million analogue radios will become largely redundant after 2015 and around 20 million car radios will need converters.

The committee recommends more advice be given to retailers and consumers, while a "sensible" industry scrappage scheme could benefit manufacturers and retailers of digital radios.

Read the full BBC News report
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/entertainment/8591942.stm

Radio 4 discussion now on Listen Again:
Founding Director of Digital Radio UK Andrew Harrison and the Guardian's computer editor Jack Schofield discuss whether more advice should be given to retailers and consumers.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/today/hi/today/
newsid_8592000/8592328.stm

Our thanks to Mike Terry for spotting this item