The ball finally is rolling in a planned U.K. switch to terrestri...

The entity, which took form at the U.K. govt.’s request, includes the BBC, commercial broadcasters such as ITV and Channel 4, and DTV multiplex operators Crown Castle and SDN. All provide funding and have members on SwitchCo’s board. The board also has 2 seats representing CE manufacturers and retailers. SwitchCo will coordinate DTV technical rollout region by region across the U.K., on a timetable yet unannounced but expected to run 2008 to 2012, when all analog broadcasts will end. The consortium’s job is to inform the public about digital switch-over plans and ensure consumers know what they need to do or purchase and when. SwitchCo also will consult with TV makers, CE retailers, consumer groups and digital platform operators to ensure gear and communication are in place to keep the switch-over on schedule. Digital platforms include terrestrial, satellite, cable and telco DSL operators. About 60% of U.K. households have DTV service, but usually on only one TV in the home and through a sub-$100 set-top box. CE makers there have been lobbying the govt. and BBC to do more to promote TVs with integrated DTV tuners. This year, Sony -- loudest of the bunch -- will stop selling analog TVs, concentrating solely on “IDTVs,” except in areas of the U.K. -- about 25% -- that will lack DTV reception until the analog spectrum is reallocated. In these areas, Sony will offer entry-level analog sets as special orders only.