UK public 'confused about digital switchover'

28 February 2008

Ahead of the upcoming switchover to digital TV, many Britons are unsure about the steps they must take to prepare, a new report reveals.

The National Audit Office (NAO) found that although 85% of households had already changed their main television from analogue to digital, a further 26 million TVs would still need to be replaced.

Around one-third of people are confused about how to get ready for digital, while half of retail staff are unfamiliar with the meaning of the "digital tick" symbol that means a device can be used after the switchover, the NAO said.

The report also pointed out that 45% of TVs sold in the first six months of 2007 were analogue.

Responding to the findings, public accounts committee chairman Edward Leigh told the BBC that those responsible for educating the public on the switchover need to do "a lot more work" to pass on the message that "analogue TV is being consigned to history".

Cable or satellite? What about Freeview? See what digital TV package would work best for you and what's available in your area by using the uSwitch.com comparison and switching service. Compare digital TV providers and switch in minutes.

Start switching

< Back to market news

© 2008 Adfero Ltd

Content for the uSwitch.com market news service is provided by a third party, Adfero Ltd. Whilst uSwitch.com makes reasonable efforts to check the reliability of this content, uSwitch.com does not guarantee the accuracy thereof or endorse the views or opinions given by Adfero Ltd, unless expressly stated otherwise.