Media Release

Budget 2009: Getting ready for digital TV

Additional funding of almost $140 million over three years announced in the Budget will help Australians get ready for digital television, the Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy, said tonight.

"This funding will provide reliable, timely and helpful information on how to access those broadcasts to assist Australians to prepare for the final switchover in 2013."

The additional funding is for core digital switchover activities to be undertaken in regional South Australia, Victoria and Queensland, including:

• practical in-home assistance, including the installation of a set-top-box and remedial upgrades to household cabling or antennas for eligible households (where at least one resident is a recipient of the full Aged Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carers' Payment or equivalent payment from the Department of Veterans' Affairs)
  
  
• information campaigns to ensure the public is aware of digital switchover
  
  
• working with industry to allow for a smooth transition to digital TV.

"By progressively turning off the analog signal, region-by-region throughout Australia, we now have the blueprint to develop the biggest national format change since the swap to decimal currency," Senator Conroy said.

"The Victorian region surrounding Mildura will lead the nation in digital TV take-up and will experience analog switch-off in the first half of 2010.

"Other parts of Victoria, regional South Australia and Queensland will follow and are due to complete switchover by the end of 2011. The new funding directed toward activities in these areas will assist the switchover process and supplement existing funding for digital switchover Australia-wide.

"Digital switchover is important for all Australians as it provides access to better picture quality and sound, additional channels and new content. It will free up spectrum for use in delivering new and improved broadcasting and communication services."

The Government has also announced funding in the Budget for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) to provide a dedicated digital children's television channel.

"The ABC children's television channel will be delivered digitally, providing Australian families with more great new television content and a further reason to switch to digital," Senator Conroy said.