Digital UK chair Caroline Thomson has said the past year has seen a change of focus for the organization, away from the large broadcasting projects such as switchover, towards the development of digital terrestrial television.
“This fast-changing environment is no place for complacency. It will be vital in the years ahead that the platform evolves in line with viewer expectations,” said Thomson. “Digital UK will lead on strategy for the platform, working with our partners in the broadcast industry to explore new technologies, including connected services, and commissioning research to ensure we seize the opportunities and keep pace with changes in viewer behavior”.
Digital UK’s contact centre has evolved to offer a dedicated Freeview advice line, resulting from a closer relationship with Freeview, who now shares its London offices.
Thomson added that following the clearance of spectrum in the 800MHz band for the launch of 4G mobile services, close links had been maintained with at800, the company established by the mobile network operators to mitigate possible interference caused by the rollout of new mobile broadband.
With plans for UHF spectrum to be passed to mobile operators, Digital UK continues to make the case that any changes to spectrum must allow for a strong, free-to-air TV service with the line-up of channels and level of coverage viewers enjoy today.
98.5% of UK homes are within Freeview/DTT coverage. 92 million Freeview TVs and set-tops have been sold to date.
Digital UK is owned and funded by the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Arqiva.
