Jowell Calls For Switchover Date To Be Set
Culture secretary, Tessa Jowell, has reaffirmed calls for a clear strategy for the digital switchover and has asked the country’s terrestrial broadcasters to draw up an appropriate timetable for the move to be made.
The call came as Jowell told MPs that ‘switchover between 2006 and 2010 remains attainable’ and explained that round table talks between broadcasters needed to take place in order to finalise the realities of the switchover.
The call echoes that of Ofcom chief executive, Stephen Carter, who last month that claimed problems caused by increasing uncertainty and confusion among viewers could derail the process unless a confirmed date was set soon (see Ofcom Chief Calls For Confirmed Digital Switchover Date).
The Culture Secretary explained: “It is apparent that more concerted action by broadcasters, retailers and manufacturers – supported by Government and Ofcom – is required if the full benefits of digital television are to be made available to the whole population within the desired period.”
Commenting on the importance of intervention by terrestrial broadcasters, she added: “They have an established relationship with virtually all Britain’s households and are therefore uniquely placed to ensure a smooth transition to digital broadcasting. They will also benefit from reduced costs and from the ability to offer consumers a wider range of services.”
Jowell also pointed out that over half of all UK households currently receive digital television, a claim which reinforces the urgency of the situation, with many factors of switchover still left unresolved. The BBC recently set out its position on the process, claiming that it was possible to meet the Government’s current deadline of 2010, but calling for a free-to-air satellite service to further widen the range of options open to digital refuseniks (see BBC Calls For Free-To-Air Digital Satellite Service).
DCMS: 020 7211 6200 www.dcms.gov.uk
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