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More than 20% of families in Hong Kong (about 500,000 households) are watching digital terrestrial television (DTT) via set-top boxes, integrated digital TV sets or computers, representing a 30% rise compared to the take-up rate of 15.6% at the end of July.
Addressing the High-Definition AV Exhibition 2008 today (September 26), the Deputy Secretary for Commerce and Economic Development (Communications and Technology), Mr Alan Siu, released the latest figures of the DTT survey conducted jointly by the Government and the two free-to-air TV broadcasters in September.
"The Government will work closely with the two broadcasters to expedite the construction of transmitting stations so as to extend DTT from 75% of the population to full coverage, and step up promotion to enhance public understanding of the benefits of DTT, " he said.
Digital broadcasting not only improves the quality of television reception and removes perennial problems such as "ghosting" and "snowing", but also provides new audio-visual enjoyment, multi-channel programming, and value-added services such as an electronic programme guide, multi-lingual broadcasting, closed captioning and datacasting as well as interactive television services.
To obtain the latest information on DTT broadcasting, the public can visit the Government's dedicated digital TV website, www.digitaltv.gov.hk, or call the OFTA hotline at 2961 6333.
Ends/Friday, September 26, 2008
Issued at HKT 13:00
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