Conroy launches digital TV switchover scheme

Tim Burrowes

January 29, 2009 4:54

The government has today announced some of the steps it will be taking to help the Australian public switch across to digital television.

The initial package is focused on the Victorian city of Mildura, which is covered by the Sunraysia TV region and will be the first to switch over, in 2010.

The help being put into place includes providing a package of nine free-to-air channels via satellite to those who can’t receive terrestrial digital signals; in-home switchover help; local awareness-raising iniatiatives; a labelling scheme so that consumers know which equipment to buy; plus a national call centre and web site.

Digital minister Stephen Conroy said: “Digital switchover is important for all Australians as it not only provides access to better picture and sound quality, and additional channels, but it will also free-up spectrum which can be used for the delivery of new and improved broadcasting and communications services.”

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Tim Burrowes

Tim Burrowes is the publisher of Mumbrella and Unmade. He co-founded Mumbrella in 2008 and sister title Unmade in 2021. He's worked in the UK, Middle East, Asia & Australia and has specialised in writing about the communications world for the last 25 years. He wrote the book Media Unmade, published in 2021, and became the presenter of MediaLand on ABC Radio National in 2025.