News Broadcasting
BBC report optimistic on digital switchover in UK
MUMBAI: It is not just the US that is moving towards a complete digital world, leaving analogue behind. The process of achieving a complete shift to a digital environment in the UK can be reached by 2010 with commitment from the government.
These are the BBC’s deductions made in its statement in the Digital Switchover report published today.
The report states that the digital switchover is challenging but could be done within the government’s timetable, given continued consumer enthusiasm and the right policy framework. The report has set out key recommendations that the Beeb believes are essential if the UK is to achieve switchover from analogue to digital television.
Firstly, the UK government has to make a clear commitment including establishing an appropriate regional switchover sequence.
Once this has been achieved, the BBC has proposed the creation of a dedicated and properly staffed organisation to manage the switchover programme. The UK government needs to recognise the risks of switchover for the industry and work towards underwriting the costs of any delays, the Beeb has said.
Additionally, significant investments are needed to support the marketing and communications campaigns that will be key in ensuring that the audience is able to make the transition to the fully digital world. The final part of the digital jigsaw, which has been identified in the report is the development of a viewer-friendly, non-subscription digital satellite option.
On this front, the beeb has expressed its willingness to work with other organisations as quickly as possible to begin to make a non-subscription digital satellite option a reality.
The report further noted that digital television today is available in over 54 per cent of UK homes with a significant contribution from Freeview. The BBC claimed that its investment in its digital channels and subsequent promotions has also played a pivotal role in exciting consumer interest in digital, tackling their initial confusion and assuaging their fears.
The report noted that digital television offers not simply more traditionally scheduled “linear” television channels, but also the capacity for data transmission and interactivity bringing, potentially, the benefits of e-commerce services as well as Government services delivered via electronic means. Digital television would also enable the BBC to offer licence payers it’s full suite of services (TV channels, digital radio and interactivity).
The report stated that in the future the digital television receiver would become the most widespread means for consumers to access entertainment, education, news and e-commerce services as well as digital TV programmes and channels. While many households in Britain would never buy a computer digital TV offers a potentially ubiquitous, easy route to e-society services. By increasingly enhancing linear television, broadcasters have already helped to create a widespread consumer familiarity with interactive TV which e-government services should be able to build upon.
Once the UK has switched over to digital, spectrum currently used for analogue television could be freed up providing an opportunity for new, innovative multimedia services.
News Broadcasting
News18 hosts Tamil Nadu town hall ahead of 2026 polls
MK Stalin headlines ‘Next Big Leap’ event from 10am on 23 February in Chennai with leaders and icons.
MUMBAI: Tamil Nadu’s political pot is simmering and News18’s town hall is stirring it up just in time for the 2026 assembly elections boilover. Set for 23 February from 10am onwards in Chennai, the News18 Network Town Hall gathers heavyweights under the banner ‘The Next Big Leap for Tamil Nadu’ to dissect the state’s political pulse, economic edge, and cultural clout. With the 234-seat assembly contest looming as a fiercely competitive showdown, the event spotlights how Tamil Nadu’s identity-driven politics and engaged voters continue to ripple across national debates.
Chief minister MK Stalin leads the charge with a keynote on the theme, sketching his government’s blueprint for governance, development, and staying power pre-polls. Deputy Chief Minister Udhayanidhi Stalin chimes in on ‘Voices, Vision & Way Forward’, unpacking generational shifts and fresh narratives. From the opposition corner, AIADMK general secretary Edappadi K Palaniswami tackles ‘Baton Change at the Ballot?’, floating alternatives to the status quo.
Economic vibes get a nudge from industries minister TRB Rajaa on ‘Investment Story Intact?’, probing the state’s draw for big bucks. BJP’s K Annamalai dives into ‘People, Trust & Political Ideology’, positioning his party in the Dravidian-dominated turf. IT Minister Palanivel ThiagaRajan explores ‘Code, Capacity & Citizenship’, on tech’s role in citizen-focused services. TVK’s KG Arunraj questions if ‘Winds of Change are Possible’ in this pattern-prone state.
A panel on innovation features IIT Madras director Prof V Kamakoti, M&M’s Velusamy R, and Electronic Industries Association’s Dr Sasikumar Gendham, musing how AI and knowledge hubs are remaking opportunities. AICC’s Praveen Chakravarty weighs ‘Power Sharing vs Principles’, while former Governor Tamilisai Soundararajan joins the fray. Culture gets its due with composer Anirudh Ravichander on ‘Tamil Music for the World’.
CNN-News18, editorial affairs director Rahul Shivshankar noted, “The News18 Network Tamil Nadu Town Hall… reflects our core editorial focus, to capture the political mood of the state and spotlight the ideas that will shape the next phase of governance and growth.”
Network18, CEO of English & business news Smriti Mehra added, “As Tamil Nadu moves closer to a defining electoral moment… we see it as our responsibility to drive informed and meaningful conversations.”
Network18 managing editor for South, Vivek Narayan said, “The News18 Network Townhall in Tamil Nadu is designed as a platform where policy, politics and public interest intersect.”
Backed by associate partners Tata Motors Commercial Vehicles and Reliance Industries, the live event streams on CNN-News18, News18 Tamil, CTV, and Youtube from 10am on 23 February perfect for catching the sparks, even if you’re not knee-deep in Dravidian drama.
