Australia Digital TV hits 82% penetration rate

An average of 82% of households in Australia have made the move to digital TV according to the latest figures from the federal government.

Looking at the regional market at the end of June this year, Darwin had the highest rate of 89%, Tasmania was next on 86%,Adelaide had 85%, northern New South Wales had 84% and southern New South Wales had 83%.Queensland’s figure increased to 84% during the April-June 2011 quarter, which was a surprise given the Queensland switchover is scheduled for December 6. The state’s uptake of digital TV has increased from 46% in early 2009.

Communications minister Stephen Conroy said: "With 100 days to go until analog TV signals are turned off forever, regional the switch to digital-only TV.” “The number of digital-ready households in the remote Central and Eastern Australia TV licence area – which includes areas of South Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania – has more than doubled since early 2009. “This is a great result so far but I encourage all those remaining households to make the switch as soon as possible to avoid a last minute rush.”

The government’s Household Assistance Scheme (HAS) has been working to make sure eligible households receive digitalfree-to-air TV signals. Conroy said: “50,000 eligible households have so far been provided with the installation and demonstration of a high definition set top box free of charge, marking a signifi cant milestone in the life of the scheme.”

B&T Newsletter | 01-Sep-2011