Stephen Withers
Wednesday, 03 December 2008 09:40
Opinion and Analysis
Page 2 of 3
Last month, Conroy stated that less than half of Australian households have digital TV.
What the Opposition doesn't seem to realise is that for many households there is little point in going digital until they are forced to do so.
Unless something is done to speed the switchover - such as a firm and reasonably close date for the analogue shutdown - we will be stuck with the current wasteful dual broadcasting system.
Closing down analogue TV will reduce operating costs and free up spectrum which the Government can sell for other purposes, helping to top up the public coffers that look like being depleted by measures being taken to stave off a recession.
Why aren't people eager to switch? Digital TV is better, but not that much better in terms of picture quality, and it currently offers little additional choice of viewing.
So far, there is very little content being broadcast only in digital. The exceptions are ABC2 (largely repeats), a small amount of HD-only programming on 7 and 9, and certain sport and science-fiction shows on 10.
Things might change when additional channels are introduced next year by the current networks under the Freeview label, but right now there's little reason to buy a digital tuner if you've got an old TV.
What about the cost of converting? See
page 3.
