The BBC has today published its first report on digital switchover, Progress Towards Achieving Digital Switchover, following its submission to the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport. The report states that digital switchover is challenging but achievable within the Government’s timetable, given continued consumer enthusiasm and the right policy framework. The report sets out key recommendations that the Corporation believes are essential if the UK is to achieve switchover from analogue to digital television.
Foremost, switchover can be achieved within the Government’s timetable if it makes a clear commitment including establishing an appropriate regional switchover sequence. Once this has been achieved, the BBC is also proposing the creation of a dedicated and properly staffed organisation to manage the switchover programme. Additionally, significant investment must be secured to support the marketing and communications campaigns that will be key to ensuring that the audience is able to make the transition to the fully digital world.
The final part of the digital jigsaw identified in the report is the development of a viewer-friendly, non-subscription digital satellite option. On this, the Corporation welcomes the opportunity to work with other organisations as quickly as possible to begin to make a non-subscription digital satellite option a reality.
Growth of the UK’s digital market has been a great success to date, with digital television available in over 54% of homes with a significant contribution from Freeview. The BBC’s investment in its digital channels and subsequent promotions has also played a pivotal role in exciting consumer interest in digital, tackling their initial confusion and assuaging their fears.
Moving forward however, the BBC said that there was a need for the Government to recognise the risks of switchover for the industry and work to underwrite the costs of any delays. Carolyn Fairbairn, Director of Strategy and Distribution, BBC, added: “The BBC has been making a vital contribution to bringing public service broadcasting into the digital age. “On the final stage of the journey towards a fully digital Britain we want to see our services available to all licence fee payers as quickly as possible and ensure that there are no pockets of people who are digitally disenfranchised. Therefore as we move closer towards this common final goal, the BBC will continue to play an important role in partnership with both Government and other organisations to realise a fully digital Britain.”
The BBC’s report is available online.