Flatscreen sales set for boost

Digital UK, the independent organisation leading the analogue switchover, has confirmed a start date of November 6. And with five million homes set to make the switch to digital TV broadcasts in 2009, business could be booming for TV retailers as thousands of consumers decide to upgrade from CRT.

The process of switching off our 72-year-old analogue system will begin in under a month’s time, when the first large-scale switchover begins, involving 52,000 homes in the Scottish Borders. During 2009, a further five million UK households across the Border, West Country, Wales and Granada TV regions will have analogue services replaced with digital terrestrial TV (Freeview).

More than 65 switch-overs are scheduled to the end 2012, making free digital TV via an aerial available to virtually all homes. Approximately a quarter of homes are currently outside Freeview coverage.

Latest research indicates steadily growing public awareness of switchover. In the three months to June, Digital UK found 89 per cent of adults questioned had heard about switchover. The research also found that 47 per cent of adults had a detailed understanding of switchover and 31 per cent knew the year when their region will switch.

Separate research also indicates that nearly nine-out-of-ten UK households now have digital TV on their main set.

David Scott, Chief Executive of Digital UK, said: “After years of planning, we are now just a month away from the start of this landmark event in UK broadcasting. Forty years on from the introduction of colour, we are taking another giant step forward by ensuring the benefits of digital television are enjoyed by the whole country.”

Switchover will see analogue terrestrial television signals switched off region by region. This will release airwaves allowing Freeview services to be broadcast for the first time from approximately 1,100 local transmitters.

When switchover is complete, Freeview coverage will match that of the existing analogue network, at 98.5 per cent of UK households.
www.digitaluk.co.uk