大象传媒

After detailed discussions with the Government, the Trust is satisfied that an agreement has been reached on the Digital Switchover Help Scheme which safeguards the 大象传媒's programmes and services and is in the best interests of licence fee payers.

One of the 大象传媒's stated public purposes is to take a leading role in digital switchover and it is appropriate that the licence fee settlement includes ring-fenced funds for a targeted help scheme for elderly and disabled people.

However, the 大象传媒 Trust has always made it clear that the 大象传媒's participation in a help scheme would only be on condition that:

• the 大象传媒's programmes and services to licence fee payers must not be put at financial risk, and
• there would be a proper allocation of responsibilities between Government and the 大象传媒, with the Government responsible for policy and the 大象传媒 for delivery of the scheme.

The Trust is now satisfied that an agreement has been reached which meets these conditions.

Ends

Notes to Editors

This agreement means that the 大象传媒 Executive will now manage the contractor who will be responsible for delivering the Digital Switchover Help Scheme. The process to select a service provider was begun by the DCMS in February 2007. Four organisations have been shortlisted: BT, Capita, EAGA and Vertex. It is expected that contracts will be awarded in June for Whitehaven and December for the national scheme.

Timeline for Digital Switchover Help Scheme

March 2005

The idea of the 大象传媒 helping to establish and fund a scheme to help "the most vulnerable consumers" to switch to digital television is proposed in the Government's Green Paper on the 大象传媒's Royal Charter.

March 2006

The subsequent White Paper defines the most vulnerable people as being those aged 75 and over, people with severe disabilities and the registered blind. It was subsequently agreed by the Secretary of State that the scheme should also extend to the registered partially sighted.

The White Paper also required that the scheme should:

• provide the necessary equipment to convert one TV set and the assistance needed to install and use it;
• offer equipment to suit the needs of the people receiving assistance e.g. by providing audio description, effective subtitling or an a ppropriately designed remote control;
• be free for the poorest eligible households, although "a modest fee" (subsequently set at 拢40 by the Secretary of State) will be charged to others which "will be linked to the cost of the equipment provided";
• be technology neutral and "include access to the range of digital platforms although consumers will need to make up the difference in cost if they choose a more expensive technology".

July 2006

Clause 39 of the Agreement between and 大象传媒 and the Secretary of State states that the 大象传媒 must comply with a help scheme once the details of the scheme have been agreed.

January 2007

The Secretary of State announces that the licence fee settlement will fund the 拢600 million scheme, and that it is expected that the 大象传媒 will lead its delivery. The Government will retain responsibility for policy, including helping with the procurement of a contractor to deliver the scheme and determining people's eligibility for it. She also says that the Government will ensure that the 大象传媒's services are protected from any cost increases in the help scheme.

May 2007

大象传媒 Trust and DCMS announce their agreement on the Digital Switchover Help Scheme.