Retune sees SBS numbers dip

Ratings at SBS have taken a “small dip” since the digital Retune in Melbourne and Sydney.

The Retune is the final phase of the shift from analogue to digital with some channels moving frequencies in order to free-up broadcasting spectrum for new services.

Trevor Long, Manager, Technology Strategy and Innovation at SBS told TV Tonight, “We’ve seen a small dip in overall share of audience since the retune in Melbourne and Sydney, losing just under a half a share point compared to the same time last year from 4.0% to 3.6%, with Melbourne showing the biggest impact.

“Technological changes take some time to gain traction and we anticipate as more people take the simple step to retune their TV’s these figures will return to normal.”

In Melbourne this took place on February 7 and in Sydney on March 18. Adelaide, Perth and Brisbane have previously been completed.

While SBS was the only station affected from the main Gore Hill site in Sydney, in the northern beaches, inner city and outer suburbs there was also impact for Seven and TEN.

While SBS confirms its numbers have dipped slightly since the Melbourne and Sydney retunes, TV Tonight asked OzTAM whether those in the survey panel had been given additional advice to minimise the impact on television ratings.

An OzTAM spokesperson said, “OzTAM’s remit is to estimate actual viewing behaviour. Accordingly, no information or instruction is provided to panel homes which might influence their viewing activity, thereby distorting the very behaviour OzTAM seeks to measure. The television audience measurement panels will therefore reflect the behaviour of the population in response to the public campaign about the need to retune.”

There are still many regional areas yet to Retune including  Newcastle, Canberra, Wagga, Albury,  Townsville, Western Victoria, Hervey Bay, Renmark, NE Tasmania, Dubbo, Geelong and Port Douglas. The retune is due to be completed across Australia by the end of 2014.

The retune is a relatively simple process. Just press “menu” on your remote and look for the “auto tune” or “channel search” option. In most cases, this should only take viewers a few minutes. You may also find it useful to consult your manual on how to retune your digital TV equipment.

Some digital TV equipment will automatically detect changes to the channels and retune itself, or it may prompt viewers to retune in order to retain access to all the free-to-air channels.

For further assistance with retuning your digital TV equipment or any other enquiries about the retune, please call the Digital Ready Information Line on 1800 20 10 13, 8am to 10pm (AEDST) seven days, or visit the Retune Website (www.digitalready.gov.au/retune).

If viewers still require further assistance after calling the Digital Ready Information Line, they can call the SBS on 1800 500 727.