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The success of digital television

The growth of digital TV has been one of the UK's most significant commercial and technical achievements of recent times. Since its launch in 1998, digital TV has grown faster than almost any other electronic household product or service. People have paid for digital satellite, digital cable and bought Freeview boxes faster than they bought colour TVs in the 1970s, video recorders in the early 1980s and initial satellite TV in the early 1990s.

By the end of 2003, over half of UK households had digital TV in their homes.

Progress in 2003

The pace of digital TV growth speeded up in 2003 because consumers bought over 1.5 million Freeview boxes or TVs which included a digital converter. This was particularly true over the Christmas period. BSkyB also managed to add 600,000 homes to the 6.9 million which already pay monthly subscriptions for their pay TV services. The number of homes which had cable stayed constant.

Overall, the percentage of homes with digital TV rose from 41 per cent to 50.2 per cent in 2003. There are many reasons for this success.

• The BBC heavily promoted digital channels (BBC3 and BBC4).
• Falling prices of digital equipment (the cheapest Freeview box can be bought for around £50 GBP).
• Rising sales of TVs which include a digital converter ('integrated digital TVs').
• Freeview boxes were more widely available, especially in supermarkets.
• Continued demand for premium TV channels and programmes, especially football on satellite and cable.

The regional dimension

The take-up of digital TV varies across the UK. It is highest in Wales, where the analogue TV signal is often weak and lowest in the south west of England.

Once switchover has happened, the number of homes which can receive an adequate digital signal should be similar to the number that can currently receive good-quality BBC1 reception.

Second sets

During 2003, there was a growth in the number of people changing all the TV sets in their homes to digital. Many people bought Freeview boxes for TVs in their kitchens and bedrooms.

However, most homes have still not changed all their TVs to digital, which means that most households would have to buy a digital converter if switchover happened tomorrow.

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