Community Care Fund Digital Television Assistance Programme helps some 10 000 households install digital TV receivers

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     To underpin the implementation of full digital TV broadcast on December 1 (00.00 hours) this year, the Government launched the Community Care Fund Digital Television Assistance Programme in January this year to help analogue TV households in need obtain digital TV receivers so that they can continue to access local free TV programmes. As of now, more than 11 500 applications have been received, of which some 10 000 households have their digital TV receivers successfully installed.

     According to the latest survey findings, by the first quarter this year, over 90 per cent of Hong Kong households have already switched to digital TV, while the number of households still using analogue TV has dropped to about 3 per cent (around 80 000 households). These figures show that most of the Hong Kong residents are ready for full digital TV broadcast.

     "Hong Kong will enter an era of full digital TV broadcast in less than half a year's time. Households still using analogue TV will not be able to access local free TV programmes by then. We encourage all analogue TV households to get ready for full digital TV broadcast. Eligible households should submit their applications as soon as possible to obtain digital TV receivers," a spokesman for the Commerce and Economic Development Bureau said today (June 14).

     The programme is administered by the Hong Kong Council of Social Service with very simple application procedures. Analogue TV households benefiting from specified social assistance programmes or are of low-income will not be required to go through additional means testing. Eligible analogue TV households can choose digital TV receivers according to their family needs: a set-top box, a 24-inch digital TV set or a 32-inch digital TV set.

     Application forms can be obtained from the 100 district service units which assist in implementing the programme and the Home Affairs Enquiry Centres in the 18 districts. Forms can also be downloaded from the programme website (digitaltv.hkcss.org.hk/en/). Completed forms should be submitted to the service units in person or by post. Within eight weeks after receipt of an application, the electrical appliances contractor will liaise with the applicant and arrange one-stop services, including delivery and installation of a digital TV receiver as well as disposal of the old analogue TV set.

     The assistance programme will run until July 15, 2021. For details, please visit the dedicated website or call 2922 9230.

Ends/Sunday, June 14, 2020
Issued at HKT 10:00

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