Ofcom Announces Plans For Early Digital Switch-Over
The Government’s media regulator, Ofcom, has outlined the steps that have to be taken to ensure the UK’s terrestrial broadcasters are ready for a fully digital future, which could become a reality as early as 2007.
The consultation document adds weight to previous reports which predicted that analogue switch-off will become a reality for commercial television stations by 2012, and may even begin in the next three years.
During this year’s Edinburgh International Television Festival, the BBC’s director general, Mark Thompson, expressed his interest in driving forward digital switch-over, and has previously agreed that a date of 2012 is achievable by the Corporation.
Britain’s terrestrial broadcasters currently hold analogue licences, but under the Communication Act 2003 Ofcom must offer digital replacement licenses to all commercial broadcasters, including one to ensure the provision of teletext. If accepted, these must be issued to broadcasters before 29 December this year.
However, as Channel 4 is a Government owned broadcaster, replacement of its analogue licence will follow slightly different procedures. Ofcom said it is preparing a separate consultation document for Channel 4’s DRL, which will be issued by the end of this year.
Although Ofcom has said that the new DRL is substantially the same as its analogue counterpart, a few new contractual obligations have been added that the licensees must fulfil. These include; agreeing to roll-out digital terrestrial television to 1154 transmission sites, co-operate in the administration, organisation and implementation of digital switch-over, as well as ensuring analogue service ceases by 31 December 2012.
Ofcom said: “The proposals are intended to bring more certainty to the process that will enable the UK to achieve switchover from analogue to digital technologies in television broadcasting.”
However, not everyone is as optimistic about the digital switch-over as Ofcom. During a lecture at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, media commentator Ray Snoddy said: “Talk of analogue switch-off is completely academic while the Government isn’t prepared to put a single penny in to making it happen. I for one wouldn’t bet much money on exactly when analogue switch-off is going to be completed.”
Snoddy also expressed concern about the number of television sets and video recorders that will be left redundant after the switch-over. He said: “Who exactly is going to tell the public that all those [television] sets aren’t going to work any more?” Referring to the fact that, although 50% of UK homes have a digitally enabled television set, many homes also have a second and third television which is unlikely to be digital enabled, not to mention the millions of analogue video recorders which will also become defunct.
Widespread concern is mounting around the moving digital switch-over target. Many believe that, without a firm date and proper communications plan, the Government will be hard pushed to persuade the British public to replace their existing television set for a digital-enabled one.
Despite this Britain is currently leading the world in terms of digital penetration, with over 50.2% of the population already subscribing to a digital platform such as Freeview, which has been a key driver of digital television in the UK.
As well as today’s consultation paper, which has a closing date for responses of 25 October 2004, Ofcom is also working on a number of reports that will document major issues which are expected to arise as a result of the digital switch-over plans.
Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk
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