An Assessment of Analogue Television Switch-off in Kenya: a Case Study of Kikuyu District

Abstract

Kenya is one of the few countries in Africa to embark on digital television migration, having set 2012 as the deadline for the analogue television switch-off. The International Telecommunication Union Regional Radio communications Conference (RRC-06) set 2015 as the global deadline. The migration to digital television broadcasting is scheduled to take place in three phases. The first phase is the digital switch-on. The European Commission defines 'switchoff as "terminating the terrestrial transmission of analogue television", and 'switchover' as "the transition from analogue to digital broadcasting of all types of broadcasting" (EC, 2005; Iosifidis, 2006). This digital switchover is seen as a logic consequence of the technological evolution, generating several advantages for citizens and broadcast companies. The main objective of the study was to study the human aspects that influenced the adoption of analogue switch-off in Kenya. The study used a survey design and utilized purposive random sampling to select the respondents and chose a sample size of 120 respondents. Data was collected from primary source through the use of interview guides. The data was analyzed using content analysis technique. It was determined that the top most factors that will motivate the acquisition and the installation of the Set Top Boxes were the clear picture/ high resolution and the quality sound system. Majority of the respondent indicated that the people would not take up the DTY voluntarily or willingly the moment it would take effect, all the households that had the TYs would be forced to purchase the Set Top Boxes in order to receive any signals in their TYs. The Major challenges that the respondents anticipated when adopting the analogue switch off was that the initial cost of the purchase of the set top boxes would be high. The respondents also indicated that they were anticipating government support for the acquisition of the set top boxes that facilitates the analog TVs to receive the digital signals. The Government as well as other media stakeholders should educate the public on the Analog Switch Off or the DTV so that they are aware of the services offered as well as the benefits of installing the Set Top Box.