ABC calls for free DTV

net1

Australia's public broadcaster ABC is calling on the government for permission launch a suite of new digital channels to drive digital uptake, citing the experience of the UK.

In a submission to Australia's federal government, ABC managing director, Russell Balding argued for the removal of "artificial constraints" on spectrum and said the government had small chance of meeting its ambitious 2009 analogue switch-off deadline without new digital channels.

"If the ABC is allowed to broadcast a full range of programmes, such as news, drama, comedy, on digital multi-channels, it would encourage more people to make an investment in digital television," said Balding. "This is certainly the experience in other markets such as the United Kingdom."

He said that while there has been increased uptake of new digital pay services from service providers such as Foxtel and Austar, this "does not benefit the millions of consumers who have not and may never subscribe.

"What we need is real incentives for people to buy digital set-top boxes so they can enjoy the benefits of free-to-air digital television", he added, but ABC's ability to offer incentives was "extremely limited with the current genre restrictions."

Even in the UK, with digital TV available on three platforms - terrestrial, satellite and cable - and the BBC driving uptake through its Freeview offering of 30 digital channels, the projected date of analogue switch-off has been moved back from 2010 to 2012.