Nov 30th 2004
By: monica
By: monica
Another step towards analogue switch off
Yesterday Ofcom published the new digital replacement licences (DRLs) offer for commercial terrestrial broadcasters. These would allow broadcasts by ITV, Channel 4, Channel 5 and Public Teletext until definite switch off in 2012. The licences include, in addition to public service requirements, new digital switchover obligations. The deadline for acceptance for Channel 3, Channel 5 and Teletext remains is 13 December 2004 (same deadline for comments by Channel 4 on its draft DRL). Ofcom has published 19 replacement licences, 15 of which belong to the different ITV regions. They will all take effect from 28 December 2004.
The licences constitute a fundamental piece of the digital switchover roadmap in the UK. It is expected that they will give some impetus to a process that, perhaps not surprisingly, is taking longer than initially planned, with continuous delays and re-scheduling of target dates all over Europe. At present, national switch off in the UK is expected for 2012 (the same as in Spain), although Ofcom has reserved powers to alter the date in the event of difficult circumstances (for instance of a technical kind). This time, however, switch off does seem less unrealistic in terms of market conditions. Who knows, maybe this truly is the beginning of the end.
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