How the digital revolution has changed the way we watch television

Before the advent of digital television the viewership for popular television programmes was astronomical. The days of season finales bringing in tens of thousands of people all huddled around their television sets were part of the fabric of the analogue generation. Television was geared towards global sporting events, one-off historic documentaries and newsflashes that got people talking about it the next day and the week to come.

Satellite television brought us choices, programmes from around the world and many different films and sports that we could watch without cutting into the air time of regular programming. It was still analogue and didn’t improve picture quality or reception issues that also came with analogue terrestrial television, but with Pay TV came the ability to choose the channels we wanted, the sports we loved and the movies we had to see – at a premium.

When digital television arrived, it revolutionised terrestrial television. For no extra cost to the viewer, multiple channels were available, with little upgrade costs required to purchase the receiver or digital television. Pay TV was an available option when it came to digital satellite television, and with services becoming available later that offered television via the internet or cable, the choice on offer in terms of programming matched the boost in quality of the picture, the signal and the audio.

But as a boost in quality of the picture became quickly apparent with the introduction of digital high definition television on cable, satellite and terrestrial television, many people wondered where the quality went in programming. With more people tuning in than ever, the broadcasters with all of their newly found bandwidth to give us hundreds of channels decided to create a channel for nearly every possible niche imaginable.

These niche channels and programming brought with them a whole host of reality television programming that changed the face of television almost overnight. With audiences wanting more true stories about real people and the lives that they live, broadcasters searched high and low for entertaining characters that audiences could relate to and create programmes that could convey alternative lifestyles.

The characters that grew in popularity have grown into household names, and the programmes that these new form of celebrity found fame in have become an almost never-ending conveyor belt of ready-made television personalities. But this digital revolution in television has also put the power in control of the audience. With more and more ways to watch television; from series recording, time-shifted programming and television and movies on demand, the power is in the viewers’ fingertips, just as the power to vote off this weeks’ celebrity from the newest reality programme is afforded to viewers, the digital revolution in television has given audiences an evolution in control that cannot be reversed.

About the Author:

Ruth Hawtree is the owner of Local Bloke Antenna Services (Gold Coast), a govt approved digital tv and tv antenna specialist, an installer of Freeview and home theatre with years of experience.

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TV Antenna Installer Gold Coast

Local Bloke Antenna Services is a TV antenna installer in Gold Coast, Queensland. It's an established family-run business with a proven record in antenna services. Whether you're having reception problems, you’re planning an upgrade to your TV system or you’re looking to install digital TV in a new house or office, Local Bloke can take care of all your needs.

A lot of people assume they're getting a weak signal from the transmitter if their TV reception is bad. This might be true, but it might be due to other factors. Plenty other things can cause bad reception. Old or badly installed cabling between your TV and antenna can wreak havoc with the signal. The antenna itself might be badly sited, damaged or just knocked out of alignment. An electrical appliance in the area might be interfering with your signal, or tall buildings could be getting between you and the transmitter. If you're having any of those problems, and you spend money on an expensive signal amplifier, you're probably just going to make the problem worse. Call in one of the experts from Local Bloke Antenna Services and they'll be able to find out what the real problem is and work out the best solution for you. Digital signal strength tests are carried out on all jobs to guarantee you the best possible reception when the switchover to digital occurs.

If you need a new antenna installed, rest assured that Local Bloke will only use the highest quality parts on all their jobs. All antennas and cabling are fully digital ready, and reinforced fittings are used to fit the antenna to your house. Whether you want to replace an existing antenna or fit one to a new home, the job will be done properly and the team will clean up after themselves. Customers love the fact that Local Bloke doesn’t leave a mess behind. Fitting antennas for shared occupancy housing is also no problem; the company has plenty of experience at that and will come up with a solution to suit your needs. The same goes for commercial buildings.

But it's not all about antennas. Local Bloke can help you set up your entertainment gadgets, too. We can wall mount your plasma or flat screen, and we’re experts when it comes to home theatre setup. Every stage can be dealt with, from finding the ideal spots for your speakers, connecting it all up, balancing the sound and tuning in. Local Bloke will also explain how to work everything once it's set up, too. There's a reason why we’ve been voted by customers as the best TV antenna installers on the Gold Coast.

As well as good quality workmanship and top components, when you go with Local Bloke, you'll receive the confidence that comes with knowing you’ve got the best in the business.

Antenna Installation Gold Coast

So what’s wrong with the TV reception? It’s a nice new set, but the picture is terrible. Well, there are a few things that could be wrong. The set might be new, but how old is the cabling going up to the antenna? How old is the antenna itself? How well sited is it? Did your reception go downhill right after the neighbours built that big new extension?

Most problems with bad reception can be sorted out, or at least improved. It’s not a job for amateurs, though. If you don’t know exactly what you’re doing, it’s easy to waste a lot of time and money without getting any results. You need an expert that can take care of the following:

• Pick the best place for your antenna
• Choose the right antenna – given a whole host of variables
• Mount it properly so it won’t move around
• Set up a good connection to your television.

As part of the switch over to digital broadcasting, the government has set up the Antenna Installer Endorsement Scheme (AIES). To get accreditation under the scheme, the installer has to either pass an assessment of their technical knowledge or show certificates from a nationally recognized training program. Getting an AIES installer to set up your antenna is ideal. The program is not compulsory, so not all installers are covered by it. Make sure, though, that your installer is accredited.

That’s where Local Bloke Antenna Services steps in with their highly trained, Government certified, consummate professionals. If you’re a Gold Coast resident and need a new antenna, Local Bloke can do it for you. All their technicians are AIEC accredited. With the switch to digital coming up, Local Bloke is making sure everyone is ready. All the antennas they install are digital-ready, as is their cabling. They also carry out digital signal strength testing on every job to help find the best solution for your TV reception problems.

What can Local Bloke do for you? If your existing antenna installation needs repair, or you need a new one installed, they can do that for you. If you’re having trouble with reception, one of their experts will do a diagnostic survey, find out what the problem is and come up with a plan to improve it. They can also install all the required cabling in new houses or set up digital antennas for multi-occupancy buildings and commercial premises. It’s not all about antennas either; they can troubleshoot and install home theater systems, set you up for satellite TV and even install new TV sockets in your home.

If you go with Local Bloke, there are other benefits apart from their qualified technicians. Before you commit to a job, you can call them for a free quote or advice about what you need. All their work comes with a five-year guarantee, giving you confidence in a job that will last. And another important thing is, like their name says, they’re local blokes. You’ll be dealing with a Queensland family business that you can trust.