Communal Aerial Upgrade Consultation - Norwich City Council

APPENDIX A
Background to digital television
1. Digital television was launched on 1 October 1998 and has enabled
broadcasters to vastly increase the choice of programmes available to viewers
from the Terrestrial (through an aerial), Satellite (through a dish), Cable (though
underground cables) or Broadband (through DSL telephone lines) suppliers.
For the Terrestrial and Satellite suppliers this expanding choice includes new,
free-to-view and subscription services – far beyond the familiar BBC, ITV,
Channel 4 / S4C and Five terrestrial services. Services from Cable and
Broadband all require subscription payments. Interactive services within digital
broadcasting are also growing; playing an increasingly important role in the egovernment
agenda.
2. The Secretary of State confirmed in September 2005 the switchover to digital
broadcasts will be between 2008 and 2012 ensuring universal access to highquality,
free-to-view and subscription digital TV. For the Anglia region, the
switchover will take place in 2011. In order to receive digital television services
from one of the suppliers viewers must be equipped with a digital receiver,
commonly known as a “set top” box. These are available from the High Street
retailers. Alternatively, you can purchase a digital-ready television from the
High Street, these are known as Integrated Digital Television sets (iDTV) and
have the digital receiver integrated into the television itself. In all cases, ofcourse,
the digital receiver must be able to receive the required digital signals.
In blocks of flats this means either having your own aerial or dish or being able
to plug the box into a communal aerial that delivers all of the required digital
signals.
Available Television Platforms
3. There are three different types (or “platforms”) of digital television available in
Norwich to choose from: satellite (Sky), terrestrial (freeview) or cable. With
terrestrial residents can buy a set top box (currently £35 to £150 depending on
quality), which connects between the television set and the aerial source.
Connection is usually undertaken by the householder themselves. The
Freeview box delivers 30 television channels and a growing number of digital
radio stations. There is no monthly subscription for Freeview – although there is
“Top-Up TV” which tops up the service with eleven subscription channels.
With satellite residents can access free-to-view channels and a range of
subscription channels. The “Freesat” service from Sky offers 120 digital TV
channels and 80 digital radio channels. Alternatively, residents can subscribe to
Sky and build their own digital television package, from six channel mixes, up to
500+ channels. Residents can opt for the Sky+ service, which includes a
personal video recorder recording directly to the Sky+ box at the touch of a
button ,no tapes and no timers as well as pausing live tv action and returning
later and instantly rewinding.
Another satellite free-to-view service is being planned for launch early in 2006.
The BBC and ITV are currently exploring a new satellite service, which will
provide free-to-view services delivered from the Astra satellite.