Yesterday, the Government launched a "Go Digital" campaign aimed at letting people know about the forthcoming switch to digital television.
Hawkes Bay and the West Coast, chosen because of their high uptake of digital television, have been chosen to make the switch by September 2012, followed by the rest of the South Island by 2013.
Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman said the $13 million campaign was designed to ensure the transition to digital was completed as smoothly as possible.
An estimated 71% of New Zealand households watch digital television through Freeview, Sky or TelstraClear, with the remainder needing to buy a new television, a set top box or upgrade their aerial before their area's deadline.
Labour's broadcasting spokesman, Brendon Burns, said the future of non-commercial channels TVNZ6 and TVNZ7 was still unknown. Those channels were important to the future of digital television because they were two of the key components in establishing the Freeview platform as an alternative to pay TV, he said.
"The funding for TVNZ6 and TVNZ7 runs out in little more than a year," Mr Burns said.
"Having a non-commercial public service broadcasting presence is important into our digital future. Otherwise, it will just be a lot more channels with higher visual-quality, foreign-dominated programmes."
The deadlines
Deadlines for switching to digital television. -
• West Coast/Hawkes Bay September 2012
• Rest of the South Island April 2013
• Lower North Island September 2013
• Upper North Island November 2013
SOURCE: www.goingdigital.co.nz
