Most terrestrial TV homes to take free digital TV - study

A new report released by the Irish government shows that 16 percent of TV homes (around 254,000 homes) in Ireland rely solely on terrestrial TV, 10 percent have access to Irish TV channels (Irish terrestrial) only and 6 percent also have access to UK channels (multi-terrestrial). The study was prepared to help the government plan for the analogue switch-off in Ireland. Around one third (32%) of TV homes have an outdoor aerial of some type so that many more TV viewers may use the terrestrial services on secondary TV sets in the home. It found that only around one third of Irish terrestrial TV homes were aware of analogue switch off at the time the research was undertaken, and rural areas throughout the country are most reliant on terrestrial TV with over two thirds of terrestrial TV households in rural areas. Most terrestrial households (over two thirds) have indicated that they plan to opt for a free to air service post analogue switch-off rather than a pay TV service.