Alexandra Falls
HOUSEHOLDS across the Mitchell Shire have now made the switch to digital-only free-to-air-television broadcasting as part of Australia’s transition to digital TV.
Analog TV broadcasting began in regional Victoria in 1961 and ended at 9am on Thursday, May 5, when analog services from 66 transmitter sites were switched off for good.
Around 455,000 households in regional Victoria now receive digital-only TV following the shutdown of analog television signals.
Member for McEwen Rob Mitchell said this is a significant milestone in Australia’s switchover to digital-only television by 2013.
“The move to digital-only had broken down the divide between the city and the bush when it came to the range of choice for free to air television,” Mr Mitchell said.
“The upgrading and introduction of new terrestrial transmitters by broadcasters is providing all regional Victorian households with access to the same number of digital TV channels as is available in Melbourne,” Mr Mitchell said.
Around 25,000 households have been converted to digital TV through the Government’s Household Assistance Scheme, which provides eligible households with the supply, installation and demonstration of a high definition set top box.
Mr Mitchell said the scheme will be available for another month so eligible households who receive the full rate of pensions and supplements, such as the Age Pension or Income Support Supplement, should seek out assistance in their switchover to digital TV.
Mr Mitchell said that while almost all households will have made the switch to digital TV there may be a very small percentage that may still need to convert their analog TV sets.
These households are encouraged to deployed to the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13 to help respond to post-switchover inquiries, including questions about how to improve digital TV reception.
“We will continue to work with local communities to help them make the switch,” Mr Mitchell said
For more information contact the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13 or visit .






