Switchover Extremely Unlikely By 2010 Says Informa
The long-awaited switch to digital television is extremely unlikely to take place before the Government’s current 2010 deadline, according to a damning new report from Informa Media.
Informa predicts that multi-channel services will reach just 34% of global television households by 2010, tripling the figure reached in 2004 to 365 million. However, this will leave 65% of global viewers without access, making it impossible for Governments to call for the digital switch.
By 2010 digital television via cable is expected to reach 227 million households world-wide, becoming the most popular choice. Direct to home options, such as Sky, will be the next favourite, with 38 million homes receiving DTV in this way.
In the UK, the Government’s self-imposed date to terminate the analogue signal falls between 2006 and 2010, but only when 95% of households have DTV access. Many industry groups have been cynical of these plans, including industry watchdog, Ofcom.
Ofcom recently predicted that only 78% of UK households will have adopted DTV by 2010, unless the Government puts together a robust roll-out and marketing plan.
The BBC suggested to the Government that a free-to-air digital satellite service may help make the transition from analogue to digital television as smooth as possible. Although the Government welcomed the report, no specific comments about this suggestion have yet been made.
Informa Media Group: 020 7017 5533 www.informamedia.com
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