Media Release
Senator the Hon Stephen Conroy
Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy
Deputy Leader of the Government in the Senate
Australia getting ready for digital TV
The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, today announced a milestone event to drive Australia's switch to digital television.
"Digital television switchover is our biggest national format change since the swap to decimal currency and it is important that Australia get ready," Senator Conroy said.
"Digital TV means more content, better sound and vision, and additional features for television viewers."
"For most people switchover will be a simple and inexpensive task and the Government is committed to ensure that people have the right information to make upgrade decisions."
"More than 42 per cent of households already have at least one digital-ready TV. To help the rest of Australia prepare, the Get Ready for Digital TV conference will bring together the entire broadcasting sector and international experts to discuss the opportunities and challenges that lie ahead."
The Get Ready for Digital TV conference will be held in Sydney on 30 and 31 March.
Featured speakers include:
- Carolyn Fairbairn—Group Development and Strategy Director, ITV, UK.
- Will Berryman—Global COO, Technicolour Digital Content Delivery, UK.
- Giuseppe Flores d'Arcais—CEO, Nextudio; member, National DTT Switchover Project Office, Spain.
- Mike Walsh—Managing Director, Tomorrow, Hong Kong.
- Kim Dalton—Director of TV, ABC; Chair, Freeview, Australia.
- Andy Townend—Executive Director, Digital Switchover Taskforce, Australia.
The Rudd Government has established a clear deadline for national digital transition at December 31, 2013. A progressive timetable has been established to ensure all Australian television viewers are empowered to make the switch.
"The Get Ready for Digital TV conference is a great opportunity for our broadcasting industry to benefit from international experience, and to showcase technologies and new programming options made possible by digital."
For more information and facts on digital switchover, visit www.digitalready.gov.au
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Date: 19 March 2009
Contact: Tim Marshall 0408 258 457
