chris adams
TRANSCRIPT
Some key dates in DTT evolution
1
Year Event
1996 Broadcasting Act (Framework for DTT Mux allocation and licensing)
1998 DTT services launched
2002 ITV Digital collapses – Freeview launched
2003 Comms Act launched
2004 New Digital licences issued to commercial PSBs
2005 Switchover timetable announced Digital UK launched
2008 Switchover begins in earnest
Progress to digital in the last 10 years
2
Source: GfK research from Q1 2007 onwards; previous quarters use platform operator data, research and Ofcom estimates. Note: TV over ADSL take-up is too low a percentage to appear on this chart . Taken from Ofcom Digital Progress report Q1 2009 published 29 June 2009.
3
Key switchover facts • 15 TV Regions
• 67 Transmitter Groups – each switching in two stages at different times 2008-2012
• Over 1,100 main transmitters and relays in UK network – all need upgrading for DTT
• DTT currently covers 73% of UK households
• Switchover will deliver universal coverage of 98.5% (equivalent to analogue today)
Regional switchover – completes end 2012
Source: Digital UK
4
Division of responsibilities for switchover
• Overall responsibility for switchover policy • Assistance for vulnerable groups • Public sector switchover implementation
• Licensing and regulation of broadcasters • Spectrum planning & international co-ordination • Research and market information
• Co-ordination and project management role • Consumer information • Rollout of DTT network nationwide
Government
Digital UK (broadcasters & industry)
Ofcom
DSHS (BBC, DUK, DCMS)
• Delivering Help Scheme for eligible households • Appointing provider for main scheme • BBC managing contractor to deliver scheme
5
Stakeholders involved in switchover
IMPLEMENTATION POLICY & REGULATION ADVISORY GROUPS
Department for Media, Culture and Sport
Department of Business Enterprise & Regulatory
Reform
The Consumer Expert Group
The Platform Advisory Group
6
Information leaflet
Website Television
Retail
Press ads
Simultaneous ads on all main channels Press advertising – national and
regional Radio – regional Website with postcode checker Call centre – 0845 6 50 50 50 Information leaflets to 3m homes Retail information and promotion
Digital UK’s nationwide campaign
7
Helping vulnerable consumers Government has allocated £600m of TV licence fee money to help older and vulnerable people with switchover.
Assist seven million eligible across UK
• Are 75 or over, or
• Receive(or could receive) disability living allowance, attendance or constant attendance allowance, mobility supplement, or
• Have lived in a care home for six months or more, or
• Are registered blind or partially sighted
What is provided
• Practical help to convert one TV: digital box, installation (aerial/dish if needed), user support
How Much
• Two-thirds pay £40
• One-third receive for free (if on income support, income-based job seekers allowance or pension credit)
Regulatory framework for switchover
8
Licensing ensures that switchover happens
• In the UK Public Service Broadcasters (except BBC) have licences that include provisions for digital switchover.
• These require the broadcasters to: • Switch off analogue and replace with digital to a specific timetable. • Mandate transmitters, frequencies and powers they must use so they
achieve coverage targets. • Require communication with viewers and co-operation with other
stakeholders.
• Multiplex operators also have licences with requirements that match the timetable and coverage targets the broadcasters have to achieve.
• Commercial broadcasters just require a content licence called a DTPS to provide services (after they have negotiated carriage on a Multiplex)