Digital TV

Australia is in the transition period from analogue to digital television. Since 2001, the metropolitan television networks have been simulcasting their content in analogue and digital with regional networks simulcasting their signals across much of the country since 2004.

Digital television overcomes one of the basic problems with analogue television reception. Digital and analogue television signals both weaken as they travel away from the television transmitter. An analogue television picture slowly degrades with a weaker signal resulting in a fuzzy picture or ghosting. However, digital television will continue to show the same high quality picture regardless of distance up until the point where the signal can no longer be received. With digital television, all of the great programming you now enjoy – sport, movies, news, drama and comedy – is available to you but in much better picture quality, with improved sound and superior reception to your existing analogue television service.

What will happen to my existing analogue television?
Existing analogue television receivers are able to display the digital signals simply by connecting a digital set top box to your current TV set.These televisions will continue to receive the existing analogue TV channels provided by broadcasters until analogue switchoff occurs between 2010 and 2013. For details on the timetable for switchover in your region, visit digitalready.gov.au.  

What is Freeview?  
Freeview is a free-to-view digital platform which will soon offer up to 15 channels. For more information visit freeview.com.au

Free-to-View Digital Penetration
By late 2009, more than 60 per cent of Australian households had free-to-view digital TV. High definition boxes or integrated sets are the fastest growing segment.
    Click here to download chart

Further Information

The following website links provide access to more detailed information in relation to Free-to-View Digital Television.

NBN Television - Digital TV
Network Ten - ONE HD
Nine Network - GO!
Seven Network
Southern Cross Broadcasting - Digital TV
WIN Television - Digital TV