Early switch to digital TV
The roll-out of digital-only TV will require some towns in regional Australia to switch earlier than the scheduled date for their switchover area.
Analog TV services in some towns have to be switched off early to make way for digital TV services. This is happening because the television broadcasters need to replace the equipment at the local TV transmitter so that they can provide the new digital TV services. To install the new equipment, the broadcasters will switch off the analog TV signal in the local area. When the broadcasters have installed the new equipment and switched it on, only digital TV services will be available. This process is usually completed on the same day. An early switch occurs due to a number of different issues including:
- lack of available frequency to provide both the analog and digital TV services at the same time; or
- limited electricity supply or space at the broadcast site to support two sets of equipment.
The Government and the television broadcasters have sought to minimise the need for early switchovers across Australia. This has proved necessary at a small number of locations to deliver an effective transition to digital TV and to ensure the appropriate support can be available for these communities to prepare for digital TV. In most cases, early switchovers are related to the upgrade of self-help transmitters.
Regional and Remote Western Australia
Some areas of Regional and Remote Western Australia will switch to free-to-air digital TV early than the rest of Regional and Remote Western Australia.
Broadcasters have advised the following areas are switching early.
Local factsheets are available to download by clicking on the link.
- Carnarvon (
180kb) 
- Dampier ( 180kb)
- Derby ( 180kb)
- Exmouth ( 180kb,
59kb)
- Newman ( 180kb, 59kb)
- Pannawonica ( 180kb, 59kb)
Southern and Central NSW, ACT and the MIA
Some areas in southern and Central NSW, the ACT and MIA are switching to free-to-air digital TV early.
Broadcasters have advised the following areas are switching early.
Early switchover areas in 2011
The date of the early switchover is subject to change, however residents should get ready for digital TV now. Local factsheets are available to download by clicking on the link.
- Batlow* — on air 16 December 2011 (176kb,
88kb)
- Conder — on air 14 December 2011 (203kb, 92kb)
- Cootamundra* — on air 8 December 2011 (203kb, 92kb)
- Eastgrove — 21 December 2011 (203kb, 93kb)
- Gundagai* — on air 8 December 2011 (203kb, 93kb)
- Mount Kembla* — on air 8 December 2011 (205kb, 93kb)
- Mudgee Town — on air 19 December 2011 (203kb, 92kb)
Early switchover areas in 2012
- Adelong
- Captains Flat
- Eugowra — on air 9 February 2012
- Gunning
- Hillston
- Junee -— on air 19 January 2012 (203kb, 92kb)
- Narrandera — on air 2 February 2012 (203kb, 92kb)
- Oberon
- Peak Hill — on air 3 February 2012
- Talbingo
More information about the early switchover in your area, including the exact day when the switchover is happening, will be available through mySwitch.
Check mySwitch and local newspapers for details of early switchover information sessions in your area.
Early switchover in other areas of Australia
Sites identified as candidates for upgrade to digital in areas of Northern NSW, Tasmania and metropolitan centres have yet to be finalised. Should they proceed it is likely that some will be subject to early switchover conditions.
This information will be provided closer to switchover in each area. It is expected that a final list of new and upgraded sites for Northern NSW will be released early in 2012 and for Tasmania in mid 2012.
Information in mySwitch will be updated when new details are received from broadcasters conducting these upgrades.
Related Information