End is near for analogue TV, but 23% unaware of switch-off

ALMOST a quarter of TV viewers are still unaware that analogue TV signals will be switched off next year.

Pat Rabbitte, Minister for Communications has warned that 250,000 Irish households risk losing access to their favourite TV stations unless they make plans to switch over to digital TV within the next 12 months.

New research has shown that 23% of the population are still not aware that the analogue TV network will be switched off next year. The survey also revealed that it is mostly elderly TV viewers who remain uninformed about the potential loss of ability to access their favourite TV shows.

Mr Rabbitte confirmed yesterday that the existing analogue signal — which provides TV access for homes using an aerial — will be switched off in both the Republic and the North on October 24, 2012.

From that date, TV viewers will need to either subscribe to a pay TV service such as UPC or Sky or the new free digital TV service, Saorview which was launched last May in order to continue to access their favourite channels.

Launching a €1.2m campaign to promote the digital TV switchover, Mr Rabbitte said: “It is a very positive thing for Ireland and will offer TV viewers a number of additional benefits such as clearer picture and sound quality, more TV channels, radio channels, information services and high definition TV.”

The switchover will also free up more space on the broadcast spectrum band creating potential savings of €180m and enabling more band width formobile and broadband services.

The promotion will see a major TV awareness campaign featuring broadcaster, Gay Byrne.

Information leaflets on the digital TV switchover will also be available in post offices and Citizen Information Centres nationwide.

“It is relatively straightforward to switch over to digital TV and people are being given 12 months to prepare for it,” said Mr Byrne.

However, he advised anyone buying a new TV set over the Christmas period to ensure it is compatible with the Saorview digital service.

Further information is also available on a new website www.goingdigital.ie or on a Locall number 1890-940980.

Industry sources have estimated that around 20% of households which previously received analogue signals have already switched over to the Saorview service.