78% of poll respondents want free-to-air HDTV

In a poll conducted at the 2007 IBC conference, NEC UK found that 78% of those surveyed believed HDTV should air free of charge.

The survey found that there was little support for paid-for HDTV services.

At the moment high-definition TV services are available as an additional extra from broadcasters. A Sky HD box, for example costs around £299, while a subscription to Sky HD is £10 a month.

When the digital switch over is complete in 2012, HD services could be available free of charge under the Freesat initiative from ITV and the BBC.

NEC UK’s poll also found that most people (53%) believed that the 2012 deadline for the digital switchover was achievable.

The poll also found that 46% of respondents believed more choice of viewing content would be the main benefit of the digital switchover, while 20% cited better picture and sound quality as the main benefit and 18% said flexible payment options were the main benefit.