Over-65s 'most aware' of digital

Analogue television will start being phased out from 2008

Viewers over the age of 65 are aware of the UK's move to digital television, a survey has revealed.

The first quarterly results from the Switchover Tracking Survey showed that in the three months to June this year, 66% of people had heard of the plan.

The switchover to digital TV is set to begin in 2008.

The survey of more than 2,500 adults showed 78% of 65- to 74-year-olds were aware of the move, compared to only 47% of 16- to 24-year-olds.

We still have a lot of work to do in order to ensure everyone knows about switchover Ford Ennals, Digital UK chief executive

The survey was commissioned by Digital UK, the body in charge of co-ordinating the switchover, and media regulator Ofcom.

The leap in awareness comes after Digital UK's first public information campaign, which featured the voice of Little Britain comedian Matt Lucas.

Awareness rose by 13 percentage points nationally after the campaign, according to Digital UK figures.

'Valuable intelligence'

"These results demonstrate the message about switchover is getting through, particularly to older viewers," said Ford Ennals, chief executive of Digital UK.

However, he said his organisation still had "a lot of work to do in order to ensure everyone knows about switchover and understands what they need to prepare".

"The switchover tracker research will provide valuable intelligence on consumer attitudes and expectations in the run-up to full digital switchover," said Jim Egan, Ofcom strategy director.

The Border television region will be the first to switch over in 2008. The rest of the UK will follow, with the Meridian, Carlton/LWT, Tyne Tees and Ulster regions switching over in 2012.