GOVERNMENT NAMES DIGITAL VIEWERS' PANEL

CULTURE Secretary Chris Smith has named the Viewers' Panel it is hoped that it will give the Government a ‘consumers’ view’ on progress towards the switch over to digital television.
The panel of 27 people have been selected from organisations representing a wide range of both ages and interests in both general and specialist viewing.
The Culture Secretary said: “Digital television opens up exciting opportunities to transform the service we receive in our homes. It offers better quality pictures and sound and more channels as well as access to e-mail and Internet. But its success depends on the reactions of viewers.
“The interest of viewers will be of paramount importance in setting the date for the switch over to begin. That is why I also announced my intention to set up a Viewers’ Panel to contribute to reviews I shall undertake with the industry every two years to examine progress.
“The Viewers' Panel will ensure that the public’s concerns are a continuing, integral part of the decision making process. I am grateful to each member of the panel for agreeing to assist me in reaching an important decision and I look forward to receiving their first report next autumn.”
The panel will consider viewers attitudes to digital television and analyse the factors that lead viewers to choose digital television as well as identifying the barriers that prevent people from obtaining digital television.
It will then make proposals to Government about the transition process towards digital coverage and publish a report on its findings by November 2001.
In a speech at the Royal Television Society in September 1999, Smith said he thought a full switch over to digital television could commence as early as 2006 and be completed by 2010.
Among the 27 people chosen are Professor Vincent Porter, Professor of mass communications at the University of Westminster, Dean Mahoney, head of communications at the National Family and Parenting Institute and Adam Scorer, senior public affairs, Consumer’s Association.