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Majority of households still to turn to digital free-to-air television
Research released today by the Australian Communications and Media Authority 
indicates only just over two out of five Australian households � 42 per 
cent � are watching digital television over the airwaves

�Take-up of digital free-to-air TV has risen steadily since its introduction 
in 2001, but significant numbers of the community have yet to make the 
switch from analog,� said Chris Chapman, ACMA Chairman.

�This research gives us an insight into the reasons for the adoption and 
non-adoption of digital television, which will help guide the Federal 
Government, ACMA and broadcasters to effectively manage the transition from 
analog to digital.�

ACMA�s research suggests that even when viewers of digital subscription 
television services are combined with those watching over the airwaves, only 
just over half of households � 54 per cent � are receiving digital 
free-to-air television services.

The research also indicates that digital capable TV sets now account for a 
quarter (25.7 per cent) of overall stock of televisions.

The findings are among the key results of the Digital television in 
Australian homes 2007 report, the third in a series of ACMA studies into 
household adoption of digital TV.

For the first time, differences in adoption rates by state and territory and 
between metropolitan and regional areas have been measured, including two 
case studies in Mildura and Broken Hill. The highest adoption rates were in 
Mildura (70.3 per cent) and Tasmania (64 per cent), and the lowest rates in 
South Australia (37.1 per cent) and Queensland (37.2 per cent).

�While better picture quality continues to be the key reason for digital 
uptake nationally, access to extra channels and new content has led the 
unusually strong growth evident in areas such as Tasmania and Mildura,� Mr 
Chapman said.

Despite the growth in digital take-up, over half of Australian households 
still need to make the switch to digital free-to-air television, and close 
to a quarter (24 per cent) of households remain not interested in adopting. 
Many in this core group indicated they were not interested in TV, while 
others saw no compelling need to change or were put off by cost.

National awareness of the future switch-off of the analog signal by 2013 was 
unchanged from 2006 at 67 per cent. The key survey results are available on 
ACMA�s website

Media contact: Donald Robertson ACMA Media Manager on (02) 9334 7980.