Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources Pat Rabbitte has revealed that 88% of Irish people are now aware of the Digital TV Switchover. The figure is even higher in rural areas where some 92% of adults are now aware of it, compared to 89% in November 2011. Furthermore, 68% of the population are aware that the analogue TV network will be officially switched off in October 2012, compared to 35% in November last year. These encouraging results come from the latest Millward Brown Lansdowne benchmark study on the Digital TV Switchover which was carried out in June.
Approximately 200,000 homes in the country (12%), are still using the analogue TV network for their primary TV, down from 250,000 in November 2011. However, of these, 50% do not yet know when they will make the switch to Digital TV, while 28% will switch sometime in September or October.
Commenting on the research results Minister Rabbitte said: "While the results are encouraging and highlight that our public information and awareness campaign is working, the switching off of the analogue TV network is now less than four months away. Therefore, it is essential that all those who have not yet taken the important steps to ensure they can continue to enjoy their TV when the analogue network is switched off in October do so as soon as possible."
Analogue broadcasting is to cease in Ireland on 24 October, by which time every TV is to use the free Saorview service. Viewers using an aerial can connect to saorview through a compatible TV with an MPEG4 tuner – or through a decoder box – connected to a household’s existing antenna or aerial.
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