[Community Television] Ofcom sets day for analogue switch-off

[Michelle McGuire]

Ofcom sets day for analogue switch-off
14 September 2004 12:10

Ofcom has set 31 December 2012 as the official switch-off date for 
analogue TV signals.

The regulator, which oversees all commercial TV, today proposed the 
date – the first time an official body has indicated an actual day for 
switch-off - as part of its consultation on the new digital - DRL - 
licenses for ITV, Channel 4 and Five.

It said the new so licenses, which will run for ten years to 2014, 
would include a clause that forced broadcasters to comply with 31 
December 2012 as a "backstop date" for ceasing analogue signals.

Under the terms of the new licenses, which will come into effect on 29 
December this year, broadcasters must ensure that prior to switch-off 
their digital service is "at least substantially the same as existing 
analogue coverage".

Ofcom added that C4, ITV and Five must roll out DTT services to 1154 
transmission sites across the UK. It also said broadcasters should be 
in a position to start switching off pockets of analogue from 2007.

The 31 December date is expected to be met by the BBC, whose director 
general Mark Thompson indicated earlier this year that a 2012 
switch-off target was feasible. Media secretary Tessa Jowell has also 
backed a 2012 switch-off.

Source: broadcastnow.co.uk