Government Faces Call For Public-Owned Free Sat

The launch of an independent free to air digital satellite service would benefit viewers, broadcasters and manufacturers, says lobby group Voice of the Listener & Viewer (VLV), which claims such a system would create a competitive market for digital satellite services for the first time.

According to the VLV, the service would also aid the process of the digital switchover, planned for 2012, by removing some of the political pressures faced by the Government.

One of the main issues that the Government and Ofcom face is that more than a quarter of UK households cannot and will not be able to receive the free-to-air digital terrestrial (DTT) service, Freeview, until after existing analogue transmissions are switched off.

In the meantime, many of those who cannot receive Freeview will have to turn to BSkyB’s satellite service if they wish to watch the five public service broadcasters (PSBs) – the BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five and S4C.

However, even Sky’s free-to-air service is currently encrypted, and to access it users must obtain a Sky ‘solus’ viewing card, which guarantees them free access only for the next five years. Viewers who sign up today, therefore, could face the risk of Sky withdrawing its card, or of a change in its terms, just at the time that switch over is completed.

The launch of an independent free-to-air satellite would offer viewers a choice of delivery platforms and service providers, a wider range of channels, receiving equipment and services. Broadcasters would be given the opportunity to appear on competing platforms, as well as being able to develop new software applications and services, including HDTV.

For the Government, the service would remove the controversy threatened by any forced migration to a digital satellite service provided by a commercial company.

However, the Government still has a long way to go before the digital switchover, with a report from Ofcom’s Consumer Panel Study showing that less than a third of UK consumers have heard of the term “digital switchover” with a significant proportion not knowing where to turn for advice (see UK Public Unaware Of Impending Digital Switchover).

The research showed that out of more than 2,500 consumers surveyed, just 10% said they were aware of the digital switchover, but were not able to describe what it meant, while 71% did not know that the analogue signal is due to be switched off in 2012.

However, last month the Government published its report on the trial digital switchover which took place in Wales this year, hailing the exercise a success in preparation for national switchover by 2012 (see Trial Switchover A Success Says Government).

Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk

Voice of the Listener & Viewer: 01474 352835 www.vlv.org.uk