Culture Secretary To Advise On Analogue Switch-Off

Chris Smith looks set to announce the switch-off date which will signal the end of analogue television. It is believed he will make the announcement of the final shift to digital networks at the Royal Television Society’s convention on Friday.

After meeting with broadcasters yesterday to discuss details of the digital future it is believed he will set the date at some point between 2006 and 2010, provided certain criteria has been met. It is unlikely the switch-over will happen before at least 75 per cent of the population has access to digital television; at present about 2 million people are connected.

The digital signal will have to cover at least 90% of the country before analogue can be switched off. At present BSkyB coverage is almost total but the digital satellite signal provided by ONdigital covers only 75% of the country and digital cable is in the early stages of development.

With wranglings between the main rivals failing to abate, (see Digital TV Wrangles Continue Over Sky Sports 2) a final switch-off date could provide the necessary deadline to sort their squabbles.

News will be updated as it happens.