UK delays analogue switch-off until 2012

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The UK Government has distanced itself from its earlier pledge to switch over to digital television by 2010 after warnings from industry figures that the target was unrealistic.

The Government acknowledged that broadcasters believe that 2012 is a more appropriate cut-off date. Sources at the Department of Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) said that the 2012 figure was likely to be written into the BBC's royal charter and that the date would form the basis for a firmer timetable on digital switchover.

Mark Thompson, the DG of the BBC, said in his inaugural speech last month that he did not believe a 2010 switch-off was achievable and that he favoured a postponement of two years.

Ministers had planned to pave the way to digital switch-over with a £300 million public information campaign masterminded by a dedicated industry body ‘SwitchCo.' But it is understood that the campaign was dropped after the DCMS was advised by the Treasury that the funding could not be made available.

Culture secretary Tessa Jowell told parliament that the process of switching off BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel Five's analogue services could start in some regions as soon as 2007. "While broadcasters have not yet reached a full consensus on the optimum timetable, some - including the BBC - have suggested that 2012 may be the most appropriate date for the completion of switchover. This could mean beginning the switching sequence as early as 2007," she said.

Jowell also announced an initiative to ensure all new sets have a ‘sell-by' date label to warn consumers the TVs will have a limited lifespan. A new ‘switchover' logo will appear on all television sets in high street stores from September.