[Community Television] Jowell moots 2012 analogue switch-off

[Michelle McGuire]

Jowell moots 2012 analogue switch-off
  23 July 2004 10:11


The government looks set to put back its timetable for switching off 
analogue TV signals to 2012 following widespread scepticism about the 
previous 2010 target.

Media secretary Tessa Jowell told Parliament yesterday that 
broadcasters concerns’ over the original 2006 – 2010 switch-off window 
had prompted her to rethink the timetable.

  "While the broadcasters have not reached a full consensus on the 
optimum timetable, some - including the BBC - have suggested that 2012 
may be the most appropriate date for the completion of switchover."

She added: "This could mean beginning the switching sequence as early 
as 2007." Two villages in Wales are already in the process of 
undergoing a "technical trial" of digital services and are likely to 
switch over completely next spring.

She added the government would endorse a new timetable once Ofcom and 
leading charities advised on how the interests of "the most vulnerable 
consumers", such as the poor and elderly, would be protected during 
switchover. They are expected to report to her later this year.

Jowell said she had noted promises made by the BBC in its 29 June 
publication "Building Public Value" that the corporation would lead and 
coordinate the switchover process and "take a special responsibility 
for bringing the final cohorts into the digital television universe".

  She said: "I have asked the BBC how they propose to take this forward."

Jowell also voiced support for a sell by date labelling system for 
analogue TV equipment to flag up the switch-over.

"People who buy television equipment now should know that switchover 
will take place during the expected lifetime of television sets bought 
today…We expect this information to spread through retail outlets from 
September, identified by the switchover logo," she said.

The news comes as analyst Datamonitor unveiled a report that predicted 
that European digital take-up would hit 59% of all homes by 2008, 
driven by the take-up of DTT services such as Freeview in the UK. In 
contrast, it said the US will reach 52% penetration by the end of 2008.

  Source: broadcastnow.co.uk