Move to Digital TV Growing

MEDIA RELEASE

08 November 2012

Move to Digital TV Growing

Hawke’s Bay and the West Cost of the South Island have led the way in the switch to digital TV and the vast majority of the rest of the country is ready to follow suit.

The latest Going Digital research from Colmar Brunton shows that 89 percent of households with TVs nationally have already gone digital.

New Zealand television is going digital in stages. Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast made the move in September and the rest of the South Island will be following suit on 28 April 2013. The lower North Island goes digital on 29 September 2013 and the final region to go digital will be the upper North Island on 1 December 2013.

“Digital TV offers viewers more channels and better pictures. The move to digital TV in Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast has been a reminder for the rest of the country that change is happening, and that people who haven’t gone digital need to plan to act,” said Going Digital National Manager Greg Harford.

The number of households with digital television has risen three percent since the survey was last undertaken between May and July.

The latest research shows that of those households yet to go digital many are planning to make the move but are putting it off either because TV is not a priority for them or because they intend to wait until the last minute.

“For many people, going digital is as straightforward as plugging in a set-top box, but some people might need a technician, especially if they need a new aerial or satellite dish. I would encourage everyone to think about going digital early to avoid disappointment. When Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast went digital there were people who were left without TV for a time, because they waited until the last minute only to find that technicians were fully booked”, said Mr Harford.

The move to digital television doesn’t require a new TV but some people may need some new equipment such as a set-top box or television with Freeview built-in plus and aerial or satellite dish.

When goes digital everyone who wants to watch television in that region will need to have Freeview or SKY.

For more details about the move to digital television visit www.goingdigital.co.nz or call 0800 803 800.

www.goingdigital.co.nz

ENDS

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