Digital television switchover

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The Australian Government has announced that all free-to-air television broadcasters in Australia will complete the switch from analog transmission to digital-only transmission by the end of 2013. The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy announced the timetable for the digital switchover on 19 October 2008.

The Digital TV Timetable by Region can be downloaded from the Digital Ready website.

Digital television will provide the benefits of improved picture and sound quality and greater program choice.

For viewers, this will require a number of changes to the way in which television broadcasts are received including obtaining new equipment to receive the digital signals.

For retailers, this will require understanding the changes to the technology to better advise customers on the available options.

The Department of Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy is working closely with the broadcasting industry, the retail sector and other parties to ensure the smooth transition to digital-only televisions broadcasts and that viewers enjoy the associated benefits.

Get Ready for Digital TV

For the latest information about the digital switchover and when your region is scheduled to begin the switchover process, visit:

Get Ready for Digital TV

Digital Switchover Taskforce

The Digital Switchover Taskforce within the department is responsible for coordinating and overseeing Australia's transition to digital from analog television.

Its objectives are to:

Advise government on policy settings, implementation and issues connected with digital switchover
Develop and implement a program framework, including a switchover timetable, to complete the switchover from analog to digital television transmission in Australia by the end of 2013
Manage an information and education program explaining the switchover process to all Australians setting out what they will need to do and how to get further information
Convene meetings of an industry advisory group consisting of stakeholders—including broadcasters, retailers, manufacturers, antenna technicians and public and commercial housing agencies, government departments—and coordinate these to utilise their expertise in delivering switchover by the end of 2013

Digital broadcasting policies and consultations

Digital Tracker Survey

The Digital Tracker Survey measures the national uptake of digital television and Australians' awareness and attitudes towards the switchover to digital TV.

The reports of each survey are released quarterly. Digital Tracker reports from Quarter 2, 2011 onwards can be found on the Digital Ready website.

Digital tracker reports 2011

Digital tracker reports 2010

Digital tracker reports 2009

Report on Digital Television Transmission and Reception

These reports give information on the progress by commercial and national broadcasters to meet their obligations to achieve the equivalent coverage and reception quality in digital as in analog. They also identify likely transmission blackspots. The reports are tabled in Parliament every quarter beginning 1 April 2009.

Reports on Digital Television Transmission and Reception

Contacts

Digital Switchover Taskforce

switchover@dbcde.gov.au

Digital television switchover