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SCMP Reporter

A survey has found that almost a quarter of people have no plans to switch to digital television.
Twenty-three per cent of the 502 respondents said they would spend  less than HK$1,000 on digital broadcasting equipment, while 19 per cent had no interest in buying a set-top box to access digital TV.
The survey was conducted by the University of Hong Kong's Public Opinion Programme between December 10 and 17, within days of free-to-air broadcasters  TVB and  ATV beginning digital broadcasting trials.
The service was officially launched on December 31.
Senior vice-president Kwong Hoi-ying of ATV,  which commissioned the survey, said more efforts were needed to  attract  viewers back to the free channels.
'The two free-to-air broadcasters had more than three million viewers during the old days. But many of those have now turned to other entertainment,' he said.
According to the survey, half of respondents said the greatest advantage of digital broadcasting was the introduction of more free channels. Forty per cent expected improved picture and sound quality while 32 per cent said reception would be free of snowing and ghosting.
Mr Kwong said digital broadcasting had freed  traditional broadcasters of technological constraints,  as they  could now  offer more channels.
'The viewers can pick their favourite programmes according to their own preferences, as there are now more than 10 free channels offering different content.'
In addition to the four existing channels, digital broadcasting offers viewers more free programme choices, as nine more channels, three from TVB and six from ATV, will begin broadcasting this year.
But Mr Kwong  said they had no concrete plans to increase the provision of high definition programmes, which totalled only 14 hours a week at present. Any changes would be driven by public demand.
Meanwhile, the public can now access a database from telecoms watchdog Ofta on the internet to find out if their residential building is receiving digital signals.
But the database, launched yesterday,  will not reveal the coverage for commercial buildings or some country villas and village houses.
The database  can be accessed at www.ofta.gov.hk.
Goodbye analogue
The percentage of survey respondents who said they would buy a basic   digital receiver is: 30%



One in four Hongkongers say they will not switch to digital TV