Dates set for remaining digital TV switchover
June 27th, 2012
The Government has announced the proposed switchover timetable for the areas of Australia yet to switch to digital TV.
The proposed timetable is for 2013. The next switchover in Northern New South Wales is on 27 November 2012. To be digitally ready people will require either a new digital TV or a set-top box.
Senator Stephen Conroy made the announcement, saying that the switchover is the biggest technological change in broadcasting since colour TV was introduced more than three decades ago.
“Over 1.6 million people across five switchover regions are watching digital-only free to air TV and nationally, around 82 per cent of households have already converted to digital television,” Conroy said.
“I am pleased to announce intended switchover dates for the remaining metropolitan and regional areas.
“Australia is well on the way to digital-only TV viewing by the end of 2013.”
| Switchover area | Proposed switchover date |
|---|---|
| Adelaide | 2 April 2013 |
| Tasmania | 9 April 2013 |
| Perth | 16 April 2013 |
| Brisbane (includes Sunshine Coast and Gold Coast) | 28 May 2013 |
| Darwin | 30 July 2013 |
| Sydney (includes Gosford) | 3 December 2013 |
| Melbourne | 10 December 2013 |
“I have also asked the Australian and Communications Media Authority to consider setting switchover dates for two remote areas: Remote and Regional Western Australia (25 June 2013); and Remote Central and Eastern Australia (10 December 2013).
“Setting these dates now gives broadcasters and viewers certainty as we enter the last 18 months of the national switchover process.”
