Fed: Government seeing double on HDTV: Advertisers

AAP General News (Australia)
12-22-1999
Fed: Government seeing double on HDTV: Advertisers

Australia's peak advertising group says the federal government is seeing double if
it believes its digital television announcement will benefit consumers.

The government has ruled the television networks must broadcast programs in high definition

and standard definition digital from January 2001.

The Australian Association of National Advertisers says the decision will cost consumers more.

The association's general manager SARA MORTON-STONE says that while the affluent may
get to see the high definition digital broadcasts, rather more will have to be content
with standard definition.

And she says, for the next few years at least, the majority will stay tuned to their
old analogue sets, but will be paying the highest possible premium for a television standard
they don't necessarily want, can't afford and don't need.

AAP RTV rft/daw/jn

KEYWORD: DIGITAL ADVERTISING (CANBERRA)

1999 AAP Information Services Pty Limited (AAP) or its Licensors.