Half of tenants unprepared for switchover
Posted on 20th June at 12:31 PM, Posted by: Digital UK
Around half of tenants in the UK still don’t know what they need to do to continue watching television after digital TV switchover, according to research published today.
With half of all those living in flats dependent on communal aerial systems, Digital UK, the body leading switchover, is today calling for action from both landlords and tenants to ensure no one is left in the dark when analogue TV signals are switched off.
The joint research by Digital UK and Ofcom found that:
- 43% of private tenants, and 54% of council tenants, understand how to prepare for switchover (compared to national average of 64%)
- Just 3% of tenants have discussed switchover with their landlord
- Three quarters of tenants already have digital TV on their main sets but less than one third of secondary sets in rented property have been converted
- General awareness of switchover among private tenants, at 73%, lags behind the national average of 82%
As well as targeted communication to landlords, Digital UK is launching a campaign to boost awareness of the implications of digital switchover for those who live in rented accommodation. Advertising and leaflets in the first four regions to switch over will provide advice for tenants – including those who rely on communal aerial systems, many of which will need updating in order to provide digital television.
Ford Ennals, Chief Executive of Digital UK, said: “This research is a wake-up call for any landlords or tenants who have yet to start thinking about switchover. Our message is simple: switchover is coming, the countdown has started and you need to prepare.
“We have already been focusing communications on the social housing sector but are now stepping up a gear in response to low awareness, particularly among those renting in the private sector.”
Digital UK is working with Communities and Local Government (CLG) and housing associations across the country to implement a programme of conversion and awareness-raising.
Digital UK’s three top tips for tenants are:
Speak to your landlord to check they know when switchover is happening in your area and are getting prepared
Consider which way of going digital suits you. Find out what digital services are available in your area using the Digital UK online postcode checker (digitaluk.co.uk) or ring the helpline 08456 50 50 50
Remember to convert all your sets to digital if you want to continue watching TV on them after switchover
Post a comment
Add your comments in the box below. We welcome these, but we'd like to remind you to ensure your comments relate to the topic and are inoffensive. Please note that for the benefit of our users we will not publish comments containing objectionable content. See our terms of posting below.
This blog is operated and monitored by Digital UK Ltd. Participants in the blogs are not permitted to include any material which is illegal, libellous, racist, blasphemous, obscene, discriminatory, indecent or offensive. Digital UK will not be held liable for any entry which does not comply with this policy and Digital UK reserve the right to remove any material which does not conform to its policy. Any participant who fails to adhere to this policy will be blocked from any further participation. Digital UK may also inform the police authorities if it suspects any entry to be a criminal offence. Participants are therefore urged to consider carefully what they intend to write before participating.
Webfeed
