UK Free To Air Digital Television May Have Limited Future

UK Free To Air Digital Television May Have Limited Future

A new report from Strategy Analytics forecasts that free to air digital television is unlikely to gain a foothold in the market without significant public or government investment. The report predicts that several major obstacles must be overcome if widespread adoption of free to air digital TV is to be achieved.

New digital TV “adapters” are soon to be launched shortly in the UK, offering a cheap way to access free to air digital TV channels on the terrestrial platform. Pace will be the first manufacturer to sell the product, but others are expected to follow.

Strategy Analytics predicts that there are a number of factors which may inhibit the success of these products. They include the limited range and appeal of free-to-air services, general consumer confusion over digital TV, questions over compatibility with interactive services and the continued technical weaknesses in digital terrestrial broadcasting.

Strategy Analytics also forecasts some backlash from disappointed early purchasers of the technology who may be unaware of the limited free channels available.

“Low-cost devices are an important step on the road towards universal digital TV,” commented Peter King, director of broadband device strategies at Strategy Analytics. “But they also risk alienating future customers if technical problems arise.”

Strategy Analytics predicts that 79% of UK homes will have digital TV by 2008, but that analogue switch-off will not be achieved this decade without substantial investment from public or commercial investors

According to recent forecasts from Jupiter MMXI more European households will be watching digital TV than will be using the internet by 2006. Jupiter believes that this growth will be boosted by low-cost set top boxes

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