The move to digital TV is looking like a success with 82 per cent of Aussie households joining the digital revolution.

Broadband, Communications and Digital Economy Senator, Stephen Conroy said Darwin had the highest conversion rate with 89 per cent of its population had converted to digital TV by the end of June. Tasmania closely followed with 86 per cent, Adelaide with 85 per cent and New South Wales with 83 per cent.

The Digital Tracker Summary Report compiled by the Digital Switchover Taskforce showed a dramatic increase in regional Queensland households had transitioned to digital TV, with 84 per cent this quarter compared to 46 per cent in early 2009.

“With 100 days to go until analogue TV signals are turned off forever, regional Queensland is well on track for the switch to digital-only TV,” Conroy said.

“The number of digital-ready households in the Remote Central and Eastern Australia TV licence area – which includes areas of South Australia, the Northern Territory, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, and Tasmania – has more than doubled since early 2009.

“This is a great result so far but I encourage all those remaining households to make the switch as soon as possible to avoid a last minute rush,” Senator Conroy said.

Boosting the transition from analogue to digital free-to-air TV is the Gillard Governments Household Assistance Scheme (HAS), completing its 50,000th installation in Rockhampton today. 
“50,000 eligible households have so far been provided with the installation and demonstration of a high definition set top box free of charge, marking a significant milestone in the life of the scheme,” said Conroy.

Eligible candidates for the Household Assistance Scheme must receive the maximum rate of the Age Pension, Disability Support Pension, Carer Payment, Department of Veterans’ Affairs Service Pension or Income Support Supplement, own a working TV and not have access to digital TV.