No assistance for most when TV goes digital

Many of the tens of thousands of people whose televisions will stop picking up a signal when the country goes digital next year seem unlikely to qualify for government assistance.

Broadcasting Minister Craig Foss announced today the government would help some people affected by the switch over from analogue to digital in May next year - including providing them with a set-top box, aerial or satellite dish if necessary to keep receiving a signal.

But the assistance would be limited to people who are either over 75 and have a community services card, or those receiving an invalid's benefit, veteran's pension or former recipients of an invalid's benefit or veteran's pension who have converted to New Zealand superannuation.

Foss said assistance would also be provided with installation, training and access to a technical support line.

People would only qualify if they did not already receive digital television.

From May next year, all television viewers will need either Freeview, Sky or TelstraClear to keep receiving their favourite programmes.

Foss said the change to digital TV would bring "big benefits to New Zealand".

"It will allow the use of 4G technologies which could have economic benefits worth over $2 billion in the next 20 years."

Nearly 80 per cent of new Zealanders had already switched to digital TV, and by May next year the Government was expecting that number to reach nearly 90 per cent.

The assistance would be rolled out region by region. The first letters would go out to residents in Hawke's Bay and the West Coast next month.

- © Fairfax NZ News