 UK
Culture Secretary confirms digital TV switchover timetable
British Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell has announced the go ahead for
the switch to digital only TV in the UK and support to make sure no group
is left behind. She revealed the details in a recent speech to the Royal
Television Society.
Digital switchover will happen between 2008 and 2012 by ITV region in
the following order:
2008 – English/Scottish Border
2009 – West Country, Wales, NW England
2010 – West of England, rest of Scotland
2011 – Yorkshire, East Anglia, Midlands
2012 – South of England, London, NE England, Ulster
Tessa Jowell also announced a support scheme to make sure that no one
is left behind in the switch. It will provide help with equipment and
installation and follow-up support for people aged 75 years and over and
people with significant disabilities. The scheme will be funded by the
BBC through the licence fee. Further details of how the scheme will operate
in practice need to be developed by the BBC and the Government.
Tessa Jowell said: "Digital television is no longer a probability,
it is a certainty. And I believe it can leave us with a legacy of more
choice, for more people, than anywhere else in the world. When a new technology
comes along, Governments have two choices. And only two. They can follow
it, trying to make retrospective sense of how society is changing as a
result. Or they can be ahead of the curve, shaping the future and ensuring
that the fruits of technology are evenly spread. We have chosen the latter
course."
Trade and Industry Secretary Alan Johnson said: "The way is now
set for UK television to become fully digital. Everyone should now take
their decisions about how and when to go digital with confidence. The
'digital tick' logo certifies goods and services designed to help consumers
through switchover. Switchover represents an enormous change to our society.
Industry must maximise the opportunities and benefits on offer and continue
to play a vital role, along with broadcasters and Digital UK, in keeping
the UK at the forefront of the digital TV revolution."
The region-by-region timetable for Switchover has been developed by broadcasters
in consultation with Ofcom and Government. It builds on considerable progress
made so far. Already 63% of UK households have digital television and
over two million households have switched in the last 12 months, an increase
of 18.4% on the previous year. The current system of jointly broadcasting
in analogue and digital is inefficient and means that only 73% of households
can currently get access to the full range of digital TV services available
through an aerial and only 80% can currently access commercial channel
Five. Access can only be increased by switching off the analogue signal.
Digital UK –
formally known as Switchco – has launched today. It will ensure
that the public have timely and accurate information about switchover,
including knowing when their transmitter is going digital and what they
have to do to ensure they receive the new signal.
The website has gone live at www.switchco.co.uk
Source: Media Network
|
