Analogue switch-off by the ‘new’ revised target date of 2012 is unlikely unless the government is prepared to invest some money in to making it happen, says The Independent’s Raymond Snoddy.
Speaking as the host of the Alternative MacTaggart Lecture at the Edinburgh International Television Festival, Snoddy said: “Talk of analogue switch-off is completely academic while the government isn’t prepared to put a single penny in to making it happen. I for one wouldn’t bet much money on exactly when analogue switch-off is going to be completed.”
Currently, the official government digital switch-over date is set at 2010 but the BBC has since expressed its concern about not being able to meet this target and has said that 2012 would be more realistic, but as yet the date has not been revised (see Government Still Fuzzy On Digital Switchover Date).
During his speech, Snoddy asked: “Who exactly is going to tell the public that all those [television] sets aren’t going to work any more?” Referring to the fact, that although 50% of UK homes have a digitally enabled television set, many homes also have a second and third television which is unlikely to be digital enabled, not to mention the millions of analogue video recorders which will also become defunct.
One of the key drivers in rolling out digital television to the UK has been the advent of Freeview by the BBC and although Snoddy agrees that this was a great break-through, he is sceptical about the Corporations motive for such a creation.
He said: “Freeview is an obviously good idea even though there was more than a hint that the BBC’s underlying motive was institutional survival and control rather than spreading the digital gospel.
He added: “It is an absolutely terrific modest idea that goes with the grain of consumer’s interests and behaviour. But just in case anyone is tempted to get carried away and see Freeview as a big radical new idea, just remember that 85% of Freeview viewing goes to the five established channels.”
Snoddy also praised Sky for the introduction of the latest personal video recorder technology, Sky Plus. He said: “Sky Plus is also an absolutely brilliant device which will ultimately transform viewing habits but even James Murdoch is only forecasting a 25% penetration of his subscriber base by 2010. There will be time for the advertising industry to respond to the threat if it turns out to be necessary.”
Related Links
