Terrestrial analogue pictures will be turned off once the Government in Britain has achieved 95 per cent coverage for its new digital service.
This could be as early as 2006 and there is a danger the Channel Islands may be left out.That means the only television available in Jersey could be through either satellite or cable subscription television.
However, if terrestrial digital is extended to the Channel Islands viewers will be able to purchase a set-top box for a one-off fee to receive pictures.A campaign has already started to lobby the governments of Jersey and Guernsey for them to put pressure on the UK Government to include the region in its plans.According to Philip Rigg, chairman of the Channel Islands Digital Broadcast Group, action must be taken immediately to ensure that viewers in Jersey and Guernsey have access to digital terrestrial television and digital public broadcast radio services, other than through their satellite dish.
