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Dept for Culture Media and Sport

Answer

Paul Farrelly: To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what steps she is taking to improve the reception of digital television signals in Newcastle-under-Lyme. [198689] Estelle Morris: The Government are committed to ensuring that at Digital Switchover everyone who can currently get the main public service broadcasting channels in analogue form (BBC1 and 2, ITV, Channel 4/S4C and Five) can receive them on digital systems. At present around 73 per cent. of UK households can access Digital Terrestrial Television services. In Newcastle-under-Lyme as in other areas, the transmitters that broadcast the digital services have to be limited to avoid interference with the analogue signal. This situation will not change until switchover. The 22 July statement made to the House by my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State--indicated that while the broadcasters have not reached a full consensus on the optimum timetable, some--including the BBC-- have suggested that 2012 may be the most appropriate date for the completion of switchover. This was reflected in the draft Digital Replacement Licences for commercial Public Service Broadcasters on which Ofcom recently consulted. A final decision on the timetable will be made in due course.

Secondary information

Type

Written question

Reference

198689; 426 c1793W;426 c1797W

Session

2003-04

Subjects

Digital broadcasting Broadcasting reception Digital technology Television Newcastle-under-Lyme

Contains statistics

Yes

Link

View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk