Consumer Export Report Into Digital Switchover Published

124/04  

Broadcasting Minister Andrew McIntosh today stressed that the interests of viewers remain at the core of the Government's policy on digital television, as he published a report into consumer issues relating to digital switchover

The Consumer Expert Group, made up of representatives from leading consumer organisations, make a number of detailed recommendations in their Government-commissioned report on the steps that need to be taken to ensure the public is ready for digital switchover. The Government and stakeholders are already addressing many of these issues.

The independent advice offered in the report forms part of a raft of ongoing consultation that will inform the way forward for digital switchover.

Welcoming the report, Andrew McIntosh said:

"The UK is a world leader in digital TV – 55% of us already have access to it. This is significant progress, but of course there is still more work to be done.

"According to what people tell us, a fundamental consumer concern is that around a quarter of households feel they are being left behind because they can't currently get digital TV.  We are determined to address this so that everyone has access.  And the key to this will be switching over to digital, because only then will we free up the analogue spectrum to significantly increase the amount of free-to-view digital terrestrial television.

"In highlighting some of the issues we face in reaching this goal, the Consumer Expert Group is knocking on an open door. We know there are still challenges. We are working closely with industry, leading charities and consumer organisations to address them.

"But viewers can be assured that their interests, particularly those of the most vulnerable, will be at the heart of every decision we make."

Steps to take that the report identifies include:

  • Ensuring that converting to digital television equipment is affordable to all households, including those on low and fixed incomes.
  • Putting in place measures to assist low income and special needs groups to switch to digital television.
  • Carrying out a formal publication consultation exercise about the policy, timetable and process for analogue switchover.
  • Setting a test that before switchover is announced, 70% of households should have adopted digital television for their main television set.
  • Raising the profile of switchover through a public information campaign on both consumer issues and switchover policy.

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Switchover is currently being managed through the Digital Television Project – a collaboration between Government, Ofcom, broadcasters, industry and other stakeholders. Its task is to develop a comprehensive framework and strategy for switchover.

The measures it has taken so far include:

  • Liasing with retailers to ensure that consumers are able to identify and buy equipment with the help of trained staff, giving platform-neutral advice.
  • Designing and marketing a digital television logo for digital television equipment, to help the public identify switchover compliant equipment.
  • Consulting with representatives of the most vulnerable consumer groups, to ensure that the views of these people are represented.
  • Commissioning market research to gauge public awareness on the issues surrounding switchover.
  • Working towards a switchover timetable, in consultation with industry, that ensures the benefits of digital switchover will be seen within a realistic timeframe.

Andrew McIntosh added:

"I am grateful to the Consumer Expert Group for producing such a detailed report on consumer concerns. We will now need to give careful consideration to the Group's findings, and I'm sure that other stakeholders on the Digital Television Project will also want to study them closely.

"The report represents a useful contribution to the ongoing work the Government is undertaking with consumer groups, the Ofcom Consumer Panel and industry, to inform the future of switchover."

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Notes to Editors

1. The Consumer Expert Group was appointed by Andrew McIntosh in June 2003 to help the Government clarify and develop the criteria set for digital switchover by Secretary of State Chris Smith in 1999. It consists of leading representatives drawn from across a variety of consumer groups.

2. The Group consists of: the Consumers' Association, RNIB, RNID, Action with Communities in Rural England, Sense, the National Consumer Council, Age Concern, the Deaf Broadcasting Council, and Voice of the Listener and Viewer.

3. The Government invited representatives from these organisations to sit on the Group, which the Consumers' Association agreed to chair. It was open to the Group to invite other organisations to join.

4. While the broadcasters have not reached a full consensus on the optimum timetable, some – including the BBC – have suggested that 2012 may be the most appropriate date for the completion of switchover. Ofcom reiterated this in the publication of the draft digital licences in September 2004.

5. A copy of the report is available at: http://www.digitaltelevision.gov.uk/publications/pub_consumer_expert.html

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