Around the world, much thought is being given to the timetable for and the process of switching off analogue television broadcasting and moving exclusively to digital broadcasting. Here in the UK, Ofcom has recommended a phased switchover staring in 2008 and concluding in 2012 and it has even published recommendations for when each region should make the switch (although it might want to rethink London now that the city is to host the Olympic Games in 2012, since currently the plan is to move to digital in the Carlton/LWT region only in 2011). In what I described at the time as a clever political move, the Labour Party manifesto at the recent General Election stated: “We will achieve digital switchover between 2008 and 2012 ensuring universal access to high-quality, free-to-view and subscription digital television”“.

So you would think that the timetable was clear. Except that Labour Party policy and Labour Government policy are not constitutionally the same thing - and so far the Government has not publicly committed to a particular timetable.

“Broadcast” this week claims that SwitchCo will begin a �300 million advertising campaign next month to prepare viewers for digital switchover from 2008. It asserts that detailed marketing plans are expected shortly after the RTS Cambridge Convention on 15th September when DCMS Secretary of State Tessa Jowell is expected to rubber stamp the 2008-2012 timetable and discuss how the roll-out will work. Broadcasting minister James Purnell tells “Broadcast” that the Government is sticking to the 2012 target and that the main source of funding will come from the licence fee. For its part, a “Broadcast” leader opines: �Details of strategy, financing and FreeSat will be required to silence the digital doubters, of whom there are many�.

Now Tessa Jowell may give some very broad hints on the timetable when she speaks in Cambridge - as she has done before - but surely the formal statement committing the Government to the 2008-2012 timetable and spelling out how vulnerable consumers will be assisted will be made to the House of Commons after Parliament has returned from the Summer recess.