"Digital terrestrial television was introduced in Italy with the adoption of the Digital Broadcasting Law in 2001. Th e switch-off of analog broadcasting started in 2009 and is based on the progressive “digitization” of regional areas. Th e deadline for the defi nitive switch-over from analog to digital broadcasting is set for 31 December 2012. Th e transition to digital terrestrial radio (digital audio broadcasting, or DAB) is taking place at a slower pace. Unlike television, it does not require analog switch-off . Viewers of digital terrestrial television and web TV increased considerably between 2007 and 2010, whereas viewers of satellite television, after increasing between 2007 and 2009, have since remained stable. On the other hand, analog television viewers decreased signifi cantly between 2009 and 2010. Some channels that used to be only available by satellite or pay-TV (such as RAI News and Sky Tg24) are now penetrating increasing numbers of households thanks to the digital terrestrial platform. Th is does not represent an increase of diversity in terms of content, but rather in terms of audience reach. Th e television set remains the most common media device in Italian households. Th e national television news (previously available only in analog) and traditional newspapers are the media sources most used by Italians to obtain news about politics and daily news. However, a longitudinal analysis estimates that the percentage of Italians whose sole source of information was television decreased from 46.6 to 26.4 percent between 2006 and 2009."

Support: Digital