26 August 2009
Media Statement

Digital dividend must ensure no digital divide

Regional New Zealanders deserve to know if they will benefit from some of the Government’s ‘digital dividend’, says Labour’s broadcasting spokesman Brendon Burns.

Commenting on the Government’s announcement of the creation of a Digital Switchover Steering Group to manage the transition from analogue to digital television, Brendon Burns said the group is welcome, bringing together some key industry players including TVNZ, Sky, Kordia and government agencies.

“What the Government now needs to do is confirm a date for analogue switch off.
We already have more than 60 percent of households receiving digital services via Sky or Freeview. This was seen as the trigger for announcing a date to end analogue delivery.”

Earlier this month, the Government released a discussion document on options for the radio spectrum made available by ending analogue television.

Brendon Burns says that paper identifies net economic benefits of around $300 million, once spectrum is freed up for uses including cellular phone services and free-to-air digital television and radio.

He says that the nation’s 20 regional television channels are worried that they may not be able to afford to buy digital space once they lose analogue signals.

“Their best hope is the Freeview platform but currently only 75 percent of the country is able to receive channels via Freeview’s terrestrially-delivered digital signal.

“Unless Freeview’s reception area is expanded using some of the ‘digital dividend’, half our regional television stations would not be received after digital switch-over.

“Dr Coleman was unable in the House yesterday to give any assurances about the future of regional television under the move to digital delivery. Regional New Zealanders and those who run their local television channels need to know if the Government intends to give them a share of the ‘digital dividend,’” says Brendon Burns.

ENDS

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