US report questions switchover readiness

Many homes relying on analogue terrestrial television in the US have inadequate plans to prepare for digital switchover, a government report has found.

Some 15% of homes watch only over-the-air signals and a further 21% use terrestrial on their "second set", according to research by the Government Accountability Office.

Of those, 54% had inadequate or no plans to prepare for the analogue switch-off, which the government has ordered to be complete by February 17 next year. The figures appear to suggest more than 7% of US homes could lose reception. Wilmington, North Carolina will become the first market to make the switch on September 8 this year.

Broadcasters were ready for the change, the research found, but there was some confusion among consumers. This was partly caused by the fact that low-power analogue terrestrial broadcasts, more commonly used for ultra-local services, are not covered by the February switch-off.

"Public and private stakeholders have taken steps to educate the public about the low-power broadcasts potentially remaining in analogue but some advocacy groups and others have expressed concerns that the messages intending to explain the low-power issue are instead confusing the public," said the GAO.

Readiness for switchover in the US benefits from a higher penetration of subscription satellite and cable TV services, which according to the GAO stands at 65%. In the UK about 47% have pay satellite or cable. Thanks largely to Freeview, Britain has seen greater take up of digital terrestrial viewing than the US.

In the UK, where digital switchover will not be complete until 2012, about 89% are already watching digital TV and 90% are aware of the change, according to Digital UK's figures for Q1 2008. In Border, however, where switchover will be complete by June next year, only 83% have converted their primary set.