Television Reception (Hansard, 13 September 2004)

§ Mr. Drew
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what plans she has to seek solutions for those people in the Stroud constituency who can neither receive a digital signal nor access satellite because of signal problems. [188414]

§ Estelle Morris
Ofcom do not hold data on Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) or digital satellite coverage in individual constituencies.
Total core analogue TV coverage for the four main public service channels (BBC1, BBC2, ITV1 and Channel 4) stands at 98.5 per cent. of UK households. In addition, according to Ofcom figures, digital satellite is available to between 96 per cent. and 98 per cent. of UK households.
The Government is committed to ensuring that at Switchover, everyone who can currently get the main public service broadcasting channels in analogue form (BBC 1 and 2, ITV, Channel 4/S4C and Channel 5) can receive them on digital systems.
Much progress has been made in the discussions between the Government, Ofcom and the Public Service Broadcasters. While the broadcasters have not reached a full consensus on the optimum timetable, some—including the BBC—have suggested that 2012 may be the most appropriate date for the completion of Switchover.

§ Mr. Drew
To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what progress is being made on the roll-out of digital television to those areas which have yet to receive it. [188415]

§ Estelle Morris
The Government is committed to ensuring that, at switchover, everyone who can currently receive the public service channels can receive them in digital form, and that digital television is available throughout the country.
Digital satellite signals can already reach the vast majority of UK homes. Around 73 per cent. of the population can receive digital terrestrial television, but it is not possible to increase reception before switchover, as signals currently have to be transmitted at low power to prevent interference with analogue signals.
Much progress has been made in the discussions between the Government, Ofcom, and the public service broadcasters. While the broadcasters have not reached a full consensus on the optimum timetable, some—including the BBC—have suggested that 2012 may be the most appropriate date for the completion of switchover.
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