Chamber
Plenary, 05 Nov 2008
05 Nov 2008 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Digital Switchover
I congratulate Jeremy Purvis on securing this debate on an important subject.
As we have heard, Whitehaven in Cumbria became the first place to go through the process of having its television sets switched to the digital format in 2007. The Border region will be the second place to embrace digital with the switch-off of the Selkirk transmitter, starting tomorrow. The digital revolution will completely replace analogue TV transmission all over the UK by 2012.
It does not bode well that Ofcom's report into the digital switchover shows that an average of 90 per cent of households in the UK will be able to receive 40 channels after the switchover, whereas the figure drops to just 53 per cent of households in the Borders transmission area. As Jeremy Purvis's motion states, the Border TV region has the highest percentage of viewers who receive their TV signal through relay transmitters—I understand that 11 transmitters are involved. As the Border region has the lowest percentage of households that can receive digital TV through an aerial—just 51 per cent—half of Borders viewers will not know whether their preparations for the digital switchover have been successful until the switchover takes place tomorrow and on 20 November. That is unacceptable, and I know that Ofcom is aware of the problems.
My colleague John Lamont will say more about the problem of reception in the Borders area. I will concentrate on the more positive aspects of the digital switchover. Broadcasting is a reserved matter, therefore many of the decisions relating to the new digital communications world will be made at Westminster. I believe that broadcasting should continue to be reserved, but in line with the recommendations of the Scottish Broadcasting Commission I also believe that, in the post-digital era, the Scottish Parliament should be much more involved in deciding what is seen on TV screens here in Scotland and how network funding is allocated and disbursed in Scotland.
There is little doubt that digital is fairer for all viewers. Today, one in four households—especially in the remoter parts of Scotland—cannot get digital television via their aerial, and many still cannot get Channel 5. It is also true that the decision of the BBC trust not to put MG Alba, the new Gaelic digital channel, on freeview has meant that the channel cannot develop its viewership at the pace that it would like. I hope that, long before the complete digital switchover in 2012, that decision will be reversed, especially in view of the new channel's astonishingly encouraging viewing figures.
With the switching off of the analogue broadcasting system, we can boost the digital system and provide a greater choice of affordable digital options. Digital TV is, of course, more efficient because it can carry many more channels than analogue TV, which frees up the spectrum for a whole host of TV, radio and information services. I hope that one of those will be the new Scottish digital channel, which was originally proposed by the Scottish Conservatives in our submission to the Scottish Broadcasting Commission and is now the main plank in the commission's recent recommendations.
A new digital channel would provide a welcome boost for Scottish viewers and the TV production sector north of the border, including the hard-pressed Scottish independents. Although there is debate about the funding methods for the new channel, there is little doubt that large sums will be realised through the sell-off of the digital spectrum. Conservatives believe that the fairest funding method would be a combination of public and private investment, which might include funding for the development of city or regional TV news and current affairs opt-outs around the new channel's core schedule. Such an approach could give us the genuine regionality that ITV can no longer provide, not only in the Borders but elsewhere in Scotland.
One other bonus from the digital switchover that was highlighted in a speech made earlier this week by the Conservative leader is that the BBC was given additional licence fee moneys to cover the change to digital, but it now seems likely that considerable sums will be left over after the switchover. A national debate on the BBC's future is rapidly gaining momentum, but David Cameron has already given notice that, notwithstanding whatever else is decided about broadcasting, a future Conservative Government would look favourably on using digital leftover money to cut the BBC licence fee and kick-start competing media and internet companies, including, one would hope, some in the Borders.
Although there are genuine local concerns about transmission following the digital switchover, the move has many potential advantages that should be welcomed by everyone who is interested in the future of Scottish broadcasting.
As we have heard, Whitehaven in Cumbria became the first place to go through the process of having its television sets switched to the digital format in 2007. The Border region will be the second place to embrace digital with the switch-off of the Selkirk transmitter, starting tomorrow. The digital revolution will completely replace analogue TV transmission all over the UK by 2012.
It does not bode well that Ofcom's report into the digital switchover shows that an average of 90 per cent of households in the UK will be able to receive 40 channels after the switchover, whereas the figure drops to just 53 per cent of households in the Borders transmission area. As Jeremy Purvis's motion states, the Border TV region has the highest percentage of viewers who receive their TV signal through relay transmitters—I understand that 11 transmitters are involved. As the Border region has the lowest percentage of households that can receive digital TV through an aerial—just 51 per cent—half of Borders viewers will not know whether their preparations for the digital switchover have been successful until the switchover takes place tomorrow and on 20 November. That is unacceptable, and I know that Ofcom is aware of the problems.
My colleague John Lamont will say more about the problem of reception in the Borders area. I will concentrate on the more positive aspects of the digital switchover. Broadcasting is a reserved matter, therefore many of the decisions relating to the new digital communications world will be made at Westminster. I believe that broadcasting should continue to be reserved, but in line with the recommendations of the Scottish Broadcasting Commission I also believe that, in the post-digital era, the Scottish Parliament should be much more involved in deciding what is seen on TV screens here in Scotland and how network funding is allocated and disbursed in Scotland.
There is little doubt that digital is fairer for all viewers. Today, one in four households—especially in the remoter parts of Scotland—cannot get digital television via their aerial, and many still cannot get Channel 5. It is also true that the decision of the BBC trust not to put MG Alba, the new Gaelic digital channel, on freeview has meant that the channel cannot develop its viewership at the pace that it would like. I hope that, long before the complete digital switchover in 2012, that decision will be reversed, especially in view of the new channel's astonishingly encouraging viewing figures.
With the switching off of the analogue broadcasting system, we can boost the digital system and provide a greater choice of affordable digital options. Digital TV is, of course, more efficient because it can carry many more channels than analogue TV, which frees up the spectrum for a whole host of TV, radio and information services. I hope that one of those will be the new Scottish digital channel, which was originally proposed by the Scottish Conservatives in our submission to the Scottish Broadcasting Commission and is now the main plank in the commission's recent recommendations.
A new digital channel would provide a welcome boost for Scottish viewers and the TV production sector north of the border, including the hard-pressed Scottish independents. Although there is debate about the funding methods for the new channel, there is little doubt that large sums will be realised through the sell-off of the digital spectrum. Conservatives believe that the fairest funding method would be a combination of public and private investment, which might include funding for the development of city or regional TV news and current affairs opt-outs around the new channel's core schedule. Such an approach could give us the genuine regionality that ITV can no longer provide, not only in the Borders but elsewhere in Scotland.
One other bonus from the digital switchover that was highlighted in a speech made earlier this week by the Conservative leader is that the BBC was given additional licence fee moneys to cover the change to digital, but it now seems likely that considerable sums will be left over after the switchover. A national debate on the BBC's future is rapidly gaining momentum, but David Cameron has already given notice that, notwithstanding whatever else is decided about broadcasting, a future Conservative Government would look favourably on using digital leftover money to cut the BBC licence fee and kick-start competing media and internet companies, including, one would hope, some in the Borders.
Although there are genuine local concerns about transmission following the digital switchover, the move has many potential advantages that should be welcomed by everyone who is interested in the future of Scottish broadcasting.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Trish Godman):
Lab
The final item of business today is a members' business debate on motion S3M-2759, in the name of Jeremy Purvis, on digital switchover. The debate will be co...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament notes that the UK's digital TV switchover commences with the switchover of the Selkirk transmitter on 6 and 20 November 2008 in the Borde...
Jeremy Purvis (Tweeddale, Ettrick and Lauderdale) (LD):
LD
I apologise to those members whom I am detaining from the by-election campaign. I suspect that they will be en route once this debate concludes.The viewing p...
Ted Brocklebank (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Con):
Con
I congratulate Jeremy Purvis on securing this debate on an important subject.As we have heard, Whitehaven in Cumbria became the first place to go through the...
Christine Grahame (South of Scotland) (SNP):
SNP
I, too, congratulate Jeremy Purvis on securing this very topical and important debate.Earlier this year, I submitted to the Scottish Broadcasting Commission ...
Pauline McNeill (Glasgow Kelvin) (Lab):
Lab
I congratulate Jeremy Purvis on securing probably the most timely debate that we have had in the Parliament, given that the digital switchover is happening t...
John Lamont (Roxburgh and Berwickshire) (Con):
Con
I, too, congratulate Jeremy Purvis on securing this timely debate.As we have heard, tonight, the Border TV region will make history by becoming the first are...
The Minister for Europe, External Affairs and Culture (Linda Fabiani):
SNP
I thank Jeremy Purvis for bringing the debate to Parliament. It is timeous because of the forthcoming by-election and the first part of the switchover in the...
Meeting closed at 17:35.