Fed: Half of Aust homes now turned onto digital TV

AAP General News (Australia)
08-28-2009
Fed: Half of Aust homes now turned onto digital TV

CANBERRA, Aug 28 AAP - More than half of all Australian homes have now made the switch
to digital television, Communications Minister Stephen Conroy says.

Senator Conroy said the change to digital television was the nation's biggest format
change since the move to decimal currency in 1966.

He said progress to date suggested Australians were on board.

"There is still a significant challenge ahead but evidence shows strong community awareness
and satisfaction with the improved picture and sound quality, new content and new channels,"

he said in a statement.

"Fifty-three per cent of households are now enjoying the benefits of free-to-air digital
TV broadcasts."

Senator Conroy said the second Digital Tracker Survey, conducted quarterly and released
on Friday, showed the takeup of digital television had risen from 47 per cent to 53 per
cent.

Almost all Australian households (93 per cent) were aware of the digital switchover,
up from 82 per cent in the previous quarter.

The survey shows that 82 per cent of the households who have converted to digital TV
are glad they did, up from 77 per cent.

Under government plans, Australia will completely switch from analog to digital TV
by by December 31, 2013 with the changeover occurring progressively, starting in the Sunraysia/Mildura
area of Victoria in the first half of 2010.

AAP mb/it

KEYWORD: DIGITAL

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