16 October 2006
Concerns have been raised that a "hardcore" of viewers will not make the switch over to digital TV.
The main television sets in nearly three-quarter of all UK households are now digital-ready ahead of the analogue switch-off in 2012.
However, the minister in charge of the switchover, Shaun Woodward, has told the Observer that he is concerned that the "oldest and most disadvantaged" will not make the switch, leading to a "digital divide".
However, he added: "Let's get some perspective. We've already got 75% penetration and a number of people have already made the choice to switch. And most people still buying analogue TV sets are doing so because they are cheaper.
"But nobody's buying a TV that will have to be junked in two years' time. Any TV sold now must be able to be adapted with a box. And if we find we need to do more with the retailers, we will."
Recent figures from Ofcom show that more than one million Freeview digital TV boxes or digital televisions are being sold every three months.
However, at the end of June 2006, 70.2% of households with a television were watching digital television, up from 69.7% at the end of March 2006.
The relatively small increase in figures combined with high sales lead Ofcom to speculate that sales growth is largely attributed to households buying a second digital box for additional sets.
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