Analogue Switchoff - Public Awareness & Help Scheme

The Cush wrote: »

the Dept of Communications has launched a tender to collect information for a report on TV reception methods in Ireland (with particular emphasis on analogue terrestrial television).

The report, amongst other things is to "inform the Department in how best to develop and deploy supportive policy interventions/options in the move from analogue terrestrial television (ATT) to digital terrestrial television (DTT)".

DCENR is seeking applications from interested parties for the provision of services to the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources in respect of a robust and verifiable quantitative analysis of the current geographic and demographic television reception mechanisms in Ireland.
The aim of the work is to provide a report on the TV reception methods in Ireland (with particular emphasis on analogue terrestrial television). In order to prepare the report research must be undertaken that will involve the use of surveys and these surveys must use sampling in such a way that it is sufficiently large to support a significant amount of sub analysis by target grouping and further detailed assessment. It is envisaged that the margin of error will be less than, maximum, +/- 3%.

The final report will
(i) inform the Department in how best to develop and deploy supportive policy interventions/options in the move from analogue terrestrial television (ATT) to digital terrestrial television (DTT)
(ii) inform the analogue switchover policy
(iii) deepen market information in relation to DTT services

1.2. Required Services
1. Development of a TV household questionnaire aimed at finding answers to the following:
a. numbers of TV households nationally that use the different types of television reception methods;
b. numbers of TV households nationally who rely on analogue terrestrial television as their primary method of TV reception, as a function of location;
c. socio-economic circumstances of these analogue only TV households;
d. the ability of these analogue only TV households to upgrade to a digital television service;
e. information on the type of aerial used by these households;
f. the number and location of TV households where some form of assistance may be required in the upgrade to digital; and
g. the type of assistance that such houses may need to upgrade to a digital service.

2. Establishment and maintenance of a national TV user panel:
a. Advise to the Department on the optimum number of participants for this type of survey;
b. Selection of demographic and geographic areas from which the participants can be selected;
c. recruitment of survey households;

3. Conduct Survey (if most suitable approach)

4. The collection and analysis of data from the participants and the questionnaire;

5. On completion, the consultant will be expected to submit the following within 6 weeks after contract award:
• An executive summary
• A final evidence based and detailed Report, summarising the findings of the questionnaire and analysing these findings
• Conduct a presentation to relevant Departmental officials / Minister following completion of the report

The information submitted in the report must be provided in word/excel format.
The progress of the project will be reviewed on an ongoing basis by the Department and the successful tenderer will be expected to accommodate this.
The Department shall, if required, have access to the primary data and retains the right to use this primary data and analysis resulting from the survey as it sees fit.

http://www.e-tenders.gov.ie/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=AUG164895

With a view to informing the Minister on how best to navigate towards analogue
switch off, Behaviour and Attitudes was requested to conduct a survey on TV viewing
mechanisms in Ireland. This survey represents an independent view of TV viewing
mechanisms in Ireland as of November 2010.

Some of the results of this analysis are particularly useful in informing the
determination of the public value of the RTÉ proposals.

In particular, the value of some of the channels (RTÉ Aertel Digital, RTÉ Plus) was
questioned by respondents to the public consultation on new RTÉ Services who
considered that they may be obsolete given the availability and take up of internet
services nationally.

As part of the survey, B&A assessed the level of internet penetration in terrestrial TV
households. The survey found that the take up of internet services amongst terrestrial
TV households was well below the national average (65% take up). In fact, the
survey found that almost 70% of Irish terrestrial only and about 55% of multiterrestrial
TV households do not have internet access;

The survey also highlighted that:

1. 16% of TV homes (c.254k households) rely on terrestrial television. 10%
have access to the Irish TV channels (Irish terrestrial) only, with 6% having
access to the UK channels (multi-terrestrial) also.
2. In addition, about 32% of TV homes (511k) have an outdoor aerial of some
type highlighting that many more TV viewers use the terrestrial services on
secondary TV sets in the home.
3. Rural areas throughout the country are most reliant on terrestrial TV with over
two thirds of terrestrial TV households in rural areas.

http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/NR/rdonlyres/53109763-FB78-4318-A034-47D2021C6D39/0/MinistersDecision.pdf

What is Analogue Switch Off (ASO)?

Analogue Switch Off (ASO) is when analogue television transmission in Ireland will be turned off. This will happen in late 2012.

Like the rest of Europe, North America and many other countries, television broadcasting in Ireland is switching from analogue to digital transmission.

Digital television is a major step change in broadcasting that has many advantages over analogue for TV viewers. Digital TV can offer more channels, high definition (HD) pictures and sound, on-screen programme guides and new interactive services.

From a national economic perspective, digital transmission allows for far more efficient use of valuable radio spectrum. Moving to digital will free up radio spectrum for use by other important communications services such as broadband, mobile TV or other communications services. The Government has estimated that the Irish economy will benefit by up to €500 million over the next decade as a result of the switch to digital television. See press release.

The EU has mandated the end of 2012 as the final date for ASO in Europe, by which time Ireland needs to have launched a replacement digital transmission system to ensure all Irish audiences can continue to access free-to-air television.

SAORVIEW is the digital free-to-air television service that will replace the analogue system which has been in operation since 1962.

Digital Switch Over (DSO) Information Campaign

The switch from analogue to digital is both national and EU policy. The Government department with lead responsibility is the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR).

In August 2010, Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources established a Digital Switch Over Steering Group, with additional working groups, to manage the switch from analogue to digital television.

More information on the Digital Switch Over can be found at: www.goingdigital.gov.ie

Key Immediate Issues in Broadcasting Policy

The most significant issues to be addressed in 2011 are listed below. Issues are dealt with as appropriate in the text following:

· Obtain Government approval for Analogue Switch-Over (ASO) plan with necessary funding in place and initiate ASO marketing/information campaign.

· Oversight of rollout of Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) through Digital Switch-Over Steering Group.

...

Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) and Analogue Switch-Off (ASO)

Background

The analogue terrestrial TV network, operated by RTÉ Networks, provides ‘free to air’ reception of the four main national TV stations RTÉ 1, RTÉ 2, TV3 and TG4. In line with our EU obligations, this is to be switched off by the end of 2012 and replaced with a Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) system.

Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) allows the provision of more services and uses less space than analogue. This will result in spare radio spectrum becoming available (the so called “digital dividend”) which will be used for other services such as mobile broadband services.


DTT in Ireland

The availability to the public of the ‘free to air’ DTT network is a prerequisite to switching off the analogue signal and RTÉ has already rolled out the network to 90% of the population.

RTÉ plans to provide ‘free-to-air’ digital TV over two platforms – the terrestrial DTT platform and a satellite platform. The DTT network (Saorview) will cost €70m and will provide ‘free to air’ TV services to 98% of the population. The satellite network (Saorsat) is being developed to reach the remaining 2% of the population and will be available in the second half of 2011.

The RTÉ digital network will operate in parallel with the analogue network until the analogue network switches off at the end of 2012.

Consumer Issues

TV viewers will need to purchase either a set-top box which converts their existing television set to digital or a new digital television approved for the Irish Digital television network. In some cases, viewers may be required to make adjustments to rooftop aerials.


Analogue Switch-Off (ASO)

ASO in Ireland is to be achieved in Q4 2012. DCENR has established the Digital Switch-Over Steering Group to coordinate the switch-over from analogue to digital, ccomprising members from DCENR, BAI, RTÉ, RTÉNL and ComReg. This group has developed a detailed plan to deliver Analogue Switch-Off at the end of 2012.


National Information Campaign

The Government will need to ensure that TV viewers are given adequate time, information and assistance to upgrade to a digital TV service in time for ASO. This work is to be put out to public tender shortly. It is also likely that there will be a need for some form of financial assistance for vulnerable TV viewers in the transition to digital TV and this issue is currently being examined. It will require the approval of the Minister for Finance.

170,000 homes using TV aerials unaware signal to end in 2012
By Shane Hickey
Monday May 16 2011

A LARGE proportion of people who rely on an aerial for their television channels are unaware the old analogue TV signal will be switched off by the end of next year.

New research from the Department of Communications indicates almost 170,000 households who are reliant on an RTE mast do not know of the change in the broadcasting system.

RTE's digital free-to-air TV service Saorview will replace the current system, in place since 1962, by the end of 2012.

Households which receive some TV service through an aerial will have to buy a Saorview-approved set-top box to get the new service.

The Department of Communications commissioned a survey of 1,100 households at the end of November last year to analyse the viewing habits of households around the country.

The study shows just one- third of homes which rely on an aerial are aware of the switchover. Most homes which rely on aerials are based in rural areas.

At present, 16pc of households, or 254,000 homes, rely solely on the mast for their TV.

Of these, about 158,000 have access to Irish TV channels only through the aerial, while another 96,000 have access to both Irish and British channels through the same system.

Subscribers to Sky or UPC will not have to do anything when the changeover comes into effect.

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte said his priority is that everyone who needs information on the switchover is provided with it. "I will be discussing with my Government colleagues practical measures to assist in the switchover," he said.

EXPERIENCE

"Digital television will improve the television experience, with more channels, high-definition pictures, higher-quality sound, on-screen menus and digital teletext," he added.

The European Union has directed that all European countries should switch off their analogue TV service by the end of next year.

The set-top box costs will amount to some €100 but as more competition enters the market, the price is likely to come down.

A government subvention scheme is also expected to come into place but details are yet to be announced.

http://www.independent.ie/national-news/170000-homes-using-tv-aerials-unaware-signal-to-end-in-2012-2647973.html

Analogue TV relied on in 16% of homes surveyed
CÍAN NIHILL
Mon, May 16, 2011

MORE THAN 250,000 Irish households still rely solely on the terrestrial signal through aerials or antennas to receive television broadcasts, according to a report to be published today by the Department of Communications.

The report was commissioned by the department to assist in planning for the switching off of the terrestrial analogue television network at the end of 2012.

It is to be replaced after that with a digital terrestrial television service.

Some 16 per cent of the households surveyed were relying solely on terrestrial analogue television.

This form of broadcasting does not involve satellite transmission or cables, but rather radio waves transmitted and received through antennas or aerials.

More than two-thirds of households using a terrestrial television service were in rural areas, according to the report, which surveyed 1,100 television households last November.

The report also found only one-third of Irish homes with such a service were aware of the plans to switch off the analogue facility at the time the research was undertaken.

More than 30 per cent of the homes with televisions had an outdoor aerial of some type.

This led researchers to estimate that at least 511,000 households across the Republic had an aerial, meaning many more television viewers may use the terrestrial services on secondary television sets in the home.

Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte pointed out that the report had “highlighted a number of important factors which I intend to take account of in the programme for analogue switch-off”.

The digital television service provided after the switch, the Minister said, would improve the public’s viewing experience, with more channels, high-definition pictures, higher quality sound, on-screen menus and digital teletext.

“More significantly for Ireland, the switch-off of the analogue network releases valuable spectrum which we can use for wireless broadband and new mobile services and to aid Ireland’s economic recovery,” he said.

The analogue switch-off means the switching off of the terrestrial analogue television network operated and owned by RTÉNL.

Subscription-free television reception including RTÉ1, RTÉ2, TV3 and TG4 will be provided to those with an outdoor or indoor aerial to ensure the switch-over to digital television is nationwide.

The European Council has provided that all European countries should switch off their analogue television services by the end of 2012.

http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2011/0516/1224297037764.html

Minister Rabbitte publishes Major Report on TV Viewing Methods in Ireland
Dublin 16 May 2011

Minister Rabbitte publishes Major Report on TV Viewing Methods in Ireland
Embargo Monday 16 May

Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte today published a Report on TV viewing methods in Ireland. The report, which was commissioned from Behaviour and Attitudes, surveyed 1,100 TV households. It provides an independent analysis of the status of TV viewing habits in Ireland, as of end November 2010.

The report was prepared to assist the Department of Communications plan for analogue switch off in Ireland. The report primarily focuses on TV viewers who rely on the analogue terrestrial TV network for their TV reception.


Key Findings

1. 16% of TV homes (c.254k households) rely solely on terrestrial television. 10% have access to the Irish TV channels (Irish terrestrial) only while 6% also have access to the UK channels (multi-terrestrial).
2. About 32% of TV homes (511k) have an outdoor aerial of some type so that many more TV viewers may use the terrestrial services on secondary TV sets in the home.
3. Only about one third of Irish terrestrial TV homes were aware of analogue switch off at the time the research was undertaken.
4. Rural areas throughout the country are most reliant on terrestrial TV with over two thirds of terrestrial TV households in rural areas.
5. Most terrestrial households (over two thirds) have indicated that they plan to opt for a free to air service post analogue switch-off rather than a pay TV service.

The report also provides useful information on the economic profile of TV households and on their media preferences and preferences for receiving information about analogue switch off.

Minister Rabbitte said, “The B&A report has highlighted a number of important factors which I intend to take account of in the programme for analogue switch off. My priority here is to ensure that the TV viewing public is given the information and assistance it needs to upgrade to digital in advance of analogue switch off. I will be discussing with my Government colleagues practical measures to assist in the switch over which, as was announced last autumn, is due to take place in Q4 2012.

“Digital Television will improve the television experience for TV viewers, with more channels, high-definition pictures, higher-quality sound, on-screen menus and digital teletext.

“More significantly for Ireland, the switch-off of the analogue network releases valuable spectrum which we can use for wireless broadband and new mobile services and to aid Ireland’s economic recovery. “

A copy of the report is available here http://www.dcenr.gov.ie/Broadcasting/Digital+Television/Report


Note for Editors

• Analogue Switch off (ASO) means the switching off of the terrestrial analogue TV network operated and owned by RTENL and providing subscription free TV reception if the Irish TV channels ( RTE 1, RTE2, TV3 and TG4) to those with an outdoor or indoor (rabbits ears) aerial.
• The EC has provided that all European countries shall switch off their analogue TV services by the end of 2012.
• ASO does not affect subscription TV services such as cable or satellite services so subscribers to UPC, Sky, Magnet, Casey cablevision etc will not need to upgrade to digital.
• In October 2010, RTE launched its digital network “Saorview” to over 90% of the population on a pilot basis. The network currently offers reception of RTE 1, RTE 2, RV3, TG4 and RTE News Now.
• RTE is launching the service nationally in Q2 2011. At this time there will be new RTE services available.
• In upgrading to the Saorview service TV viewers will need to purchase a “Saorview” compatible television or set top box.
• Saorview set top boxes are available for around €100.
• With a view to informing the Minister on how best to navigate towards analogue switch off, Behaviour and Attitudes was requested to conduct a survey on TV viewing mechanisms in Ireland;
• The aim of the survey was to provide independent information on the different types of TV viewing mechanisms used in Ireland to receive the national TV channels ( free to air analogue terrestrial or pay TV) and
• To provide a demographic analysis of the information.
• This survey was conducted in November 2010 and the final report was submitted to the Department at the end of December.
• 1,100 TV households from throughout the country were surveyed.
• Given the technical nature of the queries a face to face survey was considered the best methodology to use.
• Statistical accuracy was +/-3% at the 95% confidence level.

irishtimes.com - Posted: May 16, 2011 @ 6:43 pm

Analogue age set to expire amid economic gloom
Laura Slattery

Ireland’s urban-rural screen divide has been neatly highlighted in a report by Behaviour & Attitudes on TV viewing methods in Ireland - my own preferred method being the time-honoured 4-3-3 of three cushions, three remotes and four minutes for the DVD player to reach its main menu.

Living in set-top box land, it’s been easy to dismiss the import of Ireland’s belated switchover to digital terrestrial television (DTT) and just assume everyone in Ireland is by now familiar with such eclectic digital delights as, say, BBC Four quiz Only Connect, on which contestants regularly announce “we’ll have the Twisted Flax” in reference to Egyptian hieroglyphics, and ITV2’s The Only Way is Essex, where if a twisted flax ever did come up, it would probably mean something else entirely.

However, the survey of 1,100 households, commissioned by the Department of Communications, extrapolates that a significant 16 per cent of “TV homes” – an estimated 254,000 households – rely solely on terrestrial television, while some 10 per cent have access to Irish terrestrial channels only. Two thirds of terrestrial TV homes are located in rural areas, with just 1 per cent of Dublin homes having access only to Irish terrestrial channels, compared to 28 per cent of “Munster Rural” homes.

Behaviour & Attitudes also finds that heads of households relying on Irish terrestrial services are more likely than average to be in receipt of the Household Benefit Payment Scheme (which includes a free TV licence), are more likely to be working in manual occupations and are more likely to be retired.

Given the high numbers of households involved, it’s clear that the Department and its Minister, Pat Rabbitte, still have a lot of work to do on the information side of DTT’s troubled advent. Presumably the survey result that only a third of Irish terrestrial TV homes were aware of the pending analogue switch-off is already a little out of date – it was conducted last November, while the marketing campaign for Saorview, RTÉ’s free-to-air DTT service, only began in March.

However, the socio-economics of Ireland’s analogue demographic will be potentially costly for the Department to negotiate. Analogue-dependent viewers upgrading to Saorview will need to purchase a Saorview-compatible television or a set-top box. The latter are currently available for a not-so-free €100, according to the Department, though prices are predicted to fall by the analogue switch-off date at the end of 2012.

One Behaviour & Attitudes survey finding that didn’t make the Department’s press release is that 77 per cent of TV homes said they would “definitely not” be buying a new television set within the next six months. “All in all, it seems likely that between no more than 3 and 5 per cent of all Irish TV households will invest in a new TV set over the next six months or so, regardless of reception type,” the research firm concludes.

“With roughly a third of all TV householders (regardless of reception type) admitting that they are struggling from a financial perspective, it is clear from all of the survey data that many TV homes would find it difficult to invest any significant amount of money in new TV equipment as part of the analogue switch-off process,” it warns. Well, that’s the economy for you.

The researchers go on to stress: “It is important to note that very low numbers of TV households (including analogue households) are planning to purchase a new TV set in the immediate future, suggesting that the adoption of new technology alone cannot be relied upon as a means of empowering households with new TV reception systems.” Ouch.

Rabbitte has indicated that “practical measures to assist in the switchover” are imminent. Leaflet drops will not, by themselves, be enough. A subvention scheme for analogue households will have to be implemented in the next 19 months – otherwise the screens of thousands of older people living in sparsely populated areas will simply fade to black, while ratings for the 2013 Rose of Tralee contest and a raft of other RTÉ jewels will plunge.

http://www.irishtimes.com/blogs/theindex/2011/05/16/analogue-age-set-to-expire-amid-economic-gloom/

The Cush wrote: »

The Dept of Communication yesterday published a request for tender for a Project Manager (National Digital Switchover Programme).

http://www.e-tenders.gov.ie/search/show/search_view.aspx?ID=MAR203522

This from the notice

23/05/2011 15:30:53 Notice Cancelled

This notice has been cancelled. The original deadline date of 18/04/2011 is no longer applicable.

As provided for in Part 2 of the Request for Tender as posted on the eTenders website, the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources has decided not to proceed with awarding a contract under this competition.

Broadcasting Services
Wednesday, 20 July 2011

216. Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the position regarding the national digital switchover; when the national information campaign will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21767/11]

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (Deputy Pat Rabbitte): A Digital Switchover Steering Group (DSG) has been established to plan, coordinate and deliver switchover from analogue terrestrial TV to digital TV in Ireland by the end of 2012. The Group is chaired by the Department of Communications, Energy and Natural Resources (DCENR) and comprises members from DCENR, RTÉ, RTÉNL, TV3, TG4, Broadcasting Authority of Ireland (BAI) and ComReg.

The Group has developed a digital switchover programme to ensure TV viewers are given the options, information and advice to switch from the analogue terrestrial TV network to a digital TV network or pay TV service, by the date of closure of the analogue TV network in Q4 2012.

RTÉ has built, owns and controls the new national digital TV network which they call Saorview. The RTÉ Saorview digital TV network was launched nationally on 26th May 2011.

RTÉ and the other broadcasters have been, and will continue to, operate a substantial Saorview information and awareness campaign to inform the general public about the availability of the new national digital TV network. In addition RTÉ has established a dedicated website, www.saorview.ie, and a telephone helpline to assist the public to access Saorview.

As Minister, I have promised to deliver a substantial information campaign, including a national telephone helpline, to provide households with information on the digital switchover and on their options for going digital. The tendering process is near completion and it is now envisaged that this national information campaign will start later this year.

http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2011/07/20/00159.asp

The Group has developed a digital switchover programme to ensure TV viewers are given the options, information and advice to switch from the analogue terrestrial TV network to a digital TV network or pay TV service, by the date of closure of the analogue TV network in Q4 2012.