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‘Rushed’ switchover threatens African TV

The digital switchover in Africa is severely behind schedule and could result in many homes across the continent losing their TV signal, according to research and consulting firm Ovum.

Most sub-Saharan countries, including Nigeria and South Africa, are not expected to be ready to turn off their analogue terrestrial TV signals by the 2015 deadline, Ovum has found.

Some governments and regulators in the region believe the deadline must be met at all costs and many countries are now rushing to be ready in time.

However, members of the public are unaware the switchover is happening, Ovum said, while a lack of adequate funds for digital TV infrastructure and insufficient supplies of set-top boxes could also affect the ability to receive the new signal.

The lack of preparation in many countries could result in a dramatic decline in TV advertising revenues, Ovum added.

Adam Thomas, Ovum’s lead analyst for global TV markets, said: “In Tanzania, the switchover process was pushed through recklessly, with damaging results.

“Thousands of homes lost their ability to watch TV and advertising revenue suffered as a result. But this mentality to rush the process persists, not least in Kenya which seems intent on repeating the same mistakes.”

Ovum’s Ismail Patel, who tracks media and entertainment across the Asian, Middle Eastern and African regions, added: “African governments and regulators need to accept that the 2015 deadline will be missed and shift their focus on to getting the process completed as quickly and efficiently as possible.”

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