To ask the Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport what estimate his Department has made of the number of households which are unable to receive all five terrestrial television channels as a result of geography or topography. (229326)

[holding answer 23 October 2008]: At present, approximately 20 per cent. of UK households cannot receive all five analogue terrestrial channels. However, 98.5 per cent. of UK households can receive BBC1 and 2, ITV and Channel 4 analogue services.

Digital terrestrial coverage allows 73 per cent. of UK households to receive the five services. After digital switchover has been completed, it is expected that 98.5 per cent. of households will receive all of public service television channels.