Watch FIFA World Cup 2026™

LIVE, FREE and EXCLUSIVE starting June 12 2026

Last analog TV signals turned off

The last analog television signals have been switched off across Australia.

analog_digital_getty_131210.jpg

The era of analog television in Australia is officially over, with the signal switched off in Melbourne and some remote parts of the country.

The last analog TV signals were turned off at 9am (AEDT) Tuesday morning in Melbourne and at 10am (AEDT) in parts of remote central and eastern Australia, the federal government's Digital Switchover Taskforce says.

The switchover to digital-only TV reception has now taken place in all parts of the country, affecting more than eight million households.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull called the move to digital the "biggest change in Australian broadcasting since the introduction of colour television almost 40 years ago".

"The last of Australia's analog free-to-air television signals are switching off today in Melbourne and communities in remote central and eastern Australia," Mr Turnbull said in a statement.

News that makes sense

Your trusted source for staying up-to-date with the world around you. Get free daily news updates and analysis, straight to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

He said digital TV meant better picture and sound quality, more free-to-air channels and freed up broadcasting spectrum for services such as mobile broadband.

The Digital Switchover Taskforce said it had delivered more than 318,000 subsidised digital set-top boxes to pensioners and veterans, and about 34,000 Satellite Subsidy Scheme installations as part of the switchover.

It said assistance schemes would remain open for Melbourne and remote central and eastern Australia until January 10, 2014.

People needing information on the change can call the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13.


2 min read

Published

Updated

Source: AAP


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News straight to your inbox

Sign up now for daily news from Australia and around the world. You can also subscribe to Insight's weekly newsletter for in-depth features and first-person stories.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Stream now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world