Media Release

Northern NSW: only 50 days to go before Analog TV is switched off

The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy today announced that there are only fifty days remaining before analog television is switched off in Northern NSW.

The Minister launched the fifty day countdown from Armidale, in the heart of the Northern NSW switchover region, and encouraged people to get their homes, family and friends ready for when the switchover to digital television takes place on 27 November 2012.

“In just fifty days time the majority of households across Northern NSW will join 1.6 million households already enjoying a digital-only TV viewing experience.

“If you are one of the 555,000 households living in the Hunter, Northern Rivers, North West Slopes and Plains or the Richmond/Tweed areas you should not delay, you need to get digital TV ready today.

“Australia is well on the way to switch to digital-only TV, with five regions having already made the transition.

There are some areas in Northern NSW, like Armidale, where people will need to make the switch to digital earlier than the Northern NSW switchover date.

“Some residents who live in the south of Armidale and rely on the local analog self-help transmitter tower will switch early because the tower is getting upgraded to digital and some analog services need to be switched off at the same time.”

“Once converted, people in these areas will be able to receive the full suite of 16 free-to-air digital channels compared to the current 5 analog channels.”

Northern NSW is following the successful switchover to digital TV that happened in southern areas of the state on 5 June 2012.

There are a range of tools and resources to help people get Digital Ready. Visit www.digitalready.gov.au or call the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13 today.

Date: 8 October 2012
Contact: Adam Sims (Senator Conroy) 0408 258 457

NOTE TO EDITORS

• Some residents in Armidale will switch to digital-only free-to-air TV earlier as the Kellys Plains transmitter (south of Armidale) is switching to digital-only free-to-air TV on Thursday 11 October 2012.
• 3 of the 5 analog services (SBS, NBN and SCA) provided on a self-help basis are being switched off. ABC and Prime will simulcast.
• Residents who have already switched to digital do not need to do anything ahead of switchover in the wider Northern NSW switchover area.
• If broadcasters change this date a further announcement will be made.
• An early switchover occurs when the analog television signals are turned off the same day that the digital signals are turned on.
• This happens because the transmitter being upgraded is unable to broadcast analog and digital TV at the same time.
• After the early switchover viewers who rely on the Kellys Plains transmitter for services will have access to all 16 free-to-air digital channels from the ABC, SBS and the commercial broadcasters.
• Some residents may be eligible for the Household Assistance Scheme and need to apply now. Residents should check their eligibility by calling the Department of Human Services on 1800 55 64 43.

Any media enquiries, requests for audio and photos can be directed to the Digital Switchover Taskforce:

Email: switchover_media@dbcde.gov.au
Mobile: 0400 283 151