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06/04/2006
Digital TV switchover awareness 'low' says report
Awareness of the switchover to digital TV in the UK is "surprisingly low", a survey by consumer group Which? has suggested.
The survey of nearly 2,000 UK adults found 38% didn't know about the digital switchover and only 7% know when it's happening in their area.
The current analogue broadcast signal will be switched off across the UK, region by region, between 2008 and 2012.
However, Which? found that 60% of those surveyed felt that it was 'wrong' for viewers to be forced to switch to digital and nine per cent even claimed that they would rather give up television completely than be forced to switch to digital.
Half of those surveyed also did not realise that they would need a Freeview box, Sky or cable for each television in their household. However, 17% said that they would not convert all of their televisions.
Communications regulator Ofcom estimated that there are still 26 million sets that need modifying. However, other equipment such as VCRs and aerials might also need to be replaced or upgraded.
Which? said that Ofcom's estimated cost of the digital switchover - an average of around £132 per household - was also conservative.
The consumer watchdog urged Digital UK, the body set up to raise consumer awareness of digital television, to provide more information for viewers on the digital switchover.
Malcolm Coles, editor of which.co.uk, said: "We've found that awareness of the digital switchover is alarmingly low, especially when you consider the first region is due to be switched in just two years time.
"People need information now so they can plan ahead."
The Border ITV region will be the first region to have its analogue signal switched off in 2008.
Digital TV said that a £200 million public information campaign would be launched in May to highlight the digital switchover.
(KMcA)
The survey of nearly 2,000 UK adults found 38% didn't know about the digital switchover and only 7% know when it's happening in their area.
The current analogue broadcast signal will be switched off across the UK, region by region, between 2008 and 2012.
However, Which? found that 60% of those surveyed felt that it was 'wrong' for viewers to be forced to switch to digital and nine per cent even claimed that they would rather give up television completely than be forced to switch to digital.
Half of those surveyed also did not realise that they would need a Freeview box, Sky or cable for each television in their household. However, 17% said that they would not convert all of their televisions.
Communications regulator Ofcom estimated that there are still 26 million sets that need modifying. However, other equipment such as VCRs and aerials might also need to be replaced or upgraded.
Which? said that Ofcom's estimated cost of the digital switchover - an average of around £132 per household - was also conservative.
The consumer watchdog urged Digital UK, the body set up to raise consumer awareness of digital television, to provide more information for viewers on the digital switchover.
Malcolm Coles, editor of which.co.uk, said: "We've found that awareness of the digital switchover is alarmingly low, especially when you consider the first region is due to be switched in just two years time.
"People need information now so they can plan ahead."
The Border ITV region will be the first region to have its analogue signal switched off in 2008.
Digital TV said that a £200 million public information campaign would be launched in May to highlight the digital switchover.
(KMcA)
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