The Government’s target of 2010 for the switch-off of the analogue television broadcast will be met, according to ecommerce minister Stephen Timms.
Speaking at the Westminster Media Forum this morning, Timms cited the success of digital terrestrial service Freeview as a key driver toward the Government’s target. Freeview has signed up over 1.4 million customers since its launch last October (see
Freeview Customers Surpass ITV Digital’s Total).
Currently, just 41% of UK homes receive digital television (DTV). Nevertheless, Timms said: “”We are still on track for the digital switch-over and I believe it will be completed by the timescale indicated. By 2010 Britain will be a digital only country.”
His positive outlook comes despite widespread scepticism in the industry that the required digital penetration level of 95% of homes would ever be met by 2010.
Government aid? The minister’s comments were met with calls for substantial Government funding to help transmission companies set up the infrastructure necessary for the digital switch to take place.
Berwyn Roberts, director of sales at transmission company Crown Castle, says that without strong Government backing, the digital switch will happen “many years” later than the current deadline.
David Dorans, director of new media at UKTV said that reducing the cost of set-top receivers, removing subscription fees and producing compelling content will all be key factors in driving the take-up of digital TV.
Nevertheless, Timms refused to comment on any specific plans to aid the digital switch over, but insisted that the Government would work hard to improve the awareness of the medium.
Forecasts Recent projections from Datamonitor put UK DTV penetration at 72% by 2007. It also believes that a major part of this growth will come from the Freeview service (see UK Digital TV To Reach 72% Of UK Homes By 2007, Says Datamonitor).
However, Datamonitor’s UK forecast is much higher than a number of other commentators’ predictions. Informa Media Group put the UK’s DTV penetration at just 66% by 2010, with the overall European figure at 41% (see European Digital Penetration To Reach 40% In 2010). Merrill Lynch reckons that UK penetration will reach just 58% by 2010 (see Freeview Moves In On Multi-Channel Sector – Merrill Lynch Long-Term Forecasts).
