IPA Warns Of Digital TV Threat To Public Service Broadcasting

The IPA has warned of the threat that digital terrestrial television could pose to public service broadcasting, in its response to the Government’s proposals for the introduction of digital terrestrial television.

The IPA are concerned that Digital Broadcasting could lead to a divided audience: those able to afford access to the most sought after programmes and those effectively disenfranchised from them. This could make it more difficult (and expensive) for advertisers to access their audiences.

The IPA is recommending the Government to take account of the following principles:

1. No decision should be made on a date for switching off the analogue signals
2. There must be a 100% ‘must carry’/100% simulcast rule for all public service analogue broadcasting on digital.
3. Any other BBC programming in digital should either be simulcast or have been previously broadcast on analogue.

The IPA also believes that the new legislation should allow for advertising funding of new digital channels.

IPA: 0171 233 5678