MEDIA RELEASE
08 November 2012
Move to Digital TV Growing
Hawke’s Bay and the West Cost of the South Island have led the way in the switch to digital TV and the vast majority of
the rest of the country is ready to follow suit.
The latest Going Digital research from Colmar Brunton shows that 89 percent of households with TVs nationally have
already gone digital.
New Zealand television is going digital in stages. Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast made the move in September and the
rest of the South Island will be following suit on 28 April 2013. The lower North Island goes digital on 29 September
2013 and the final region to go digital will be the upper North Island on 1 December 2013.
“Digital TV offers viewers more channels and better pictures. The move to digital TV in Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast
has been a reminder for the rest of the country that change is happening, and that people who haven’t gone digital need
to plan to act,” said Going Digital National Manager Greg Harford.
The number of households with digital television has risen three percent since the survey was last undertaken between
May and July.
The latest research shows that of those households yet to go digital many are planning to make the move but are putting
it off either because TV is not a priority for them or because they intend to wait until the last minute.
“For many people, going digital is as straightforward as plugging in a set-top box, but some people might need a
technician, especially if they need a new aerial or satellite dish. I would encourage everyone to think about going
digital early to avoid disappointment. When Hawke’s Bay and the West Coast went digital there were people who were left
without TV for a time, because they waited until the last minute only to find that technicians were fully booked”, said
Mr Harford.
The move to digital television doesn’t require a new TV but some people may need some new equipment such as a set-top
box or television with Freeview built-in plus and aerial or satellite dish.
When goes digital everyone who wants to watch television in that region will need to have Freeview or SKY.
For more details about the move to digital television visit www.goingdigital.co.nz or call 0800 803 800.
ENDS