The Australian has reported that Australians will not be receiving new supplementary channels by New Years Day 2009.

At least one network has spoken to the Department of Telecommunications, which had ignited the speculation that there will be no new standard-definition digital channels by January 1. The planned standard-definition channels are one of the major selling points of the digital only switch-over, which is expected to happen by 2013. Television viewers, by the switch over, will need a digital set top box, which costs $50 to $450.

On January 1st 2009, commercial television networks will be allowed to broadcast more than one simulcast, which paves the way to provide additional channels, which can time shift popular shows and news bulletins, and allow new content to be shown. While networks such as Seven & Ten are circumventing current laws through their HD channels, no new channels are being released until the laws are lifted.

ABC and SBS are exempt from these laws in their own ways, ABC offers a time shift channel (ABC2) and SBS offers a non-English World News channel, both only available via digital.

The selling points for digital STBs and unique products such as TiVo rely on these new channels to be released. Many television executives claim that the networks will not be able to release new channels by New Years because of technical issues arising from the new Freeview systems.

Many are reporting that these channels by the networks will appear in the second quarter of 2009. When all channels are released, Australians viewing via digital will have 15 unique channels to choose from.

Australian-Media.com.au