Pay-TV loosing ground to Free-to-View DTT

One in four pay-TV subscribers in Australia are likely to switch off or downgrade to a cheaper package due to the increased choices now offered by free-to-air channels, according to research by Free TV Australia, AdNews reports.
The national survey, which explored consumer attitudes towards the new free-to-air digital channels, was conducted by Jigsaw Strategic Research. Free TV Australia represents the interests of the country’s free-to-air broadcasters.
The research also claimed that 70% of people say the standard of free-to-air TV is improving, with 60% of people saying that free-to-air channels are part of their regular TV viewing.
Additionally, 77% of people are now less likely to consider subscribing to pay-TV because of the new free-to-air channels.
Free TV chief executive Julie Flynn said: “The research highlights the increasing popularity of free-to-air television and shows how the new channels have quickly become a part of our everyday TV viewing.”
Source: Asia Pacific Broadcasting Union
Item added: 6th December 2010