The Government has announced that in 100 days, Mildura Sunraysia will be the first region in Australia to switch to digital-only free-to-air television.The Minister for Broadband, Communications and the Digital Economy, Senator Stephen Conroy said, “This is a significant milestone in the switchover to digital television across Australia by 2013. Households in Mildura Sunraysia already lead the way in getting ready for digital TV, with 85 per cent of households already converted at the end of January 2010.”
“In addition, around 1,500 households have been helped to make the switch to digital TV through the Government’s Household Assistance Scheme,” added Conroy.
Senator Conroy also said that Government and broadcasters are working closely together to ensure households in Mildura Sunraysia would be able to enjoy the benefits of digital TV when the analogue signals are switched off on 30 June 2010.
“New digital transmission facilities are being established by broadcasters at Ouyen and Underbool. The Government is also fully funding a new satellite service to deliver the full range of digital TV channels to people who cannot get adequate reception from terrestrial transmitters. The new services will be available around a month before the switchover date,” said Conroy.
The Government has also promised that the Digital Switchover Taskforce will continue to keep people in Mildura Sunraysia informed about the switchover to digital TV through local advertising and information campaigns.
