Skip to main content
Normal View

Television Reception

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 29 November 2012

Thursday, 29 November 2012

Questions (36, 38)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

36. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources the number of television licence holders who have yet to make the digital switchover to Saorview; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53342/12]

View answer

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

38. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources if all television licence holders are able to receive Saorview; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53343/12]

View answer

Written answers

I propose to take Questions Nos. 36 and 38 together.

In November, research by Nielsen’s estimated that 55 thousand households were yet to make the change to digital TV. My Department will continue to monitor this situation. I am assured, however, based on the number of calls received by the helpline being operated by my Department, that the actual figures are much less than that at this stage. In this regard, call numbers have continued to drop since 24th October week on week and last week there were 44 calls. The helpline will operate until the end of December to provide assistance and advice to those who have not yet switched to digital TV. In regard to SAORVIEW, as with the analogue terrestrial TV network that it replaces, the new national digital terrestrial TV service operated by RTÉ and which provides access to the national Irish TV channels on a non-subscription basis i.e. free to air covers 98% of the population. 100% coverage is not possible on a terrestrial network.

RTÉ has also rolled out a satellite TV service – called SAORSAT which is available to 100% of the population and provides access to the Irish public service TV channels on a non-subscription basis i.e. free to air. It is worth noting that TV licence holders in Ireland are not required to use SAORVIEW and that the Irish TV channels are also available on subscription TV service such as UPC, (over cable or MMDS) or Sky, (over satellite). According to the latest figures from Neilsen, Sky has circa 49% share of the TV market in Ireland whilst UPC has approximately 25%.

Top
Share