Not many people seem to know about this ... By the end of 2012, the UK will become the only country in the world that has completely switched to all digital television. Digital switching begins in 2008 — in less than 2 short years.
The recent “What Report” (which is a major champion in the UK) shows that in many areas digital switching awareness is less than 2%. Even in the “Borders of Television” region — the first to introduce changes — only about a third of the people surveyed knew what would happen.
In fact, it seems that the UK is walking in digital switching.
Not surprisingly, the entire switching program is viewed with great interest from other countries around the world. The benefits of digital television for broadcasters, producers and programmers are pretty clear. New media are already changing the program - Planet Earth, currently showing on the BBC, is a prime example of what can be achieved. And, of course, the producers are positively slobbering at the thought of all the new TVs, VCRs and consoles that they expect to sell.
Consumers are also ready for the best - the best pictures and sound, high-definition television, interactivity, movies on demand ... The list goes on.
Governments also have a large commercial interest. They own air waves. And digital television occupies a much smaller bandwidth than ordinary analogue signals. Thus, the transition to the figure releases the precious potential of broadcasting, which governments seek to sell to the highest bidders. The sale of a mobile phone range for 3G providers has raised more than £ 20 billion. Who would argue that the sale of the television spectrum will not increase significantly?
The transition to digital television benefits us all. So why very few people know what is happening?
Simply getting digital television is only part of the problem. Almost every TV bought more than 12 months ago, and a good percentage sold now, is actually outdated. To receive digital signals, each of them will require a separate satellite receiver or install an upper decoder. Each VCR also needs an extra decoder.
The UK government puts the average cost per household to upgrade digital television at £ 132 (US $ 210). I feel that the real figure is likely to be 4 or less of this level. Most homes in the UK have more than 4 televisions — each will require significant investments to receive digital television signals.
In the UK, 68% of homes already receive digital television in some form of satellite (which means BSkyB is the only provider of satellite television in the UK), cable or terrestrial free surveillance. In almost all cases, digital television is viewed only on the main television in the house. The remaining sets are still limited to major analogue terrestrial stations. Since 2008, everything must change.
It is time to wake up. We are on the threshold of the biggest changes in television experience since it was first invented.
Start planning your own digital switchover now.
