Digital UK’s Scott knighted for DSO role
June 17, 2013
By Colin Mann
David Scott, Chief Executive of Digital UK, has been awarded a knighthood for services to digital switchover in the Queen’s Birthday Honours.
Saying he was “honoured” to receive the recognition, Scott added that delivering switchover required the collaboration of many individuals and organisations, all of whom deserved to share in the credit.
Before becoming Chief Executive in 2008, Scott represented Channel 4 on the board of Digital UK. He worked at Channel 4 for more than 25 years and held the roles of Director of Finance, Managing Director, Deputy Chief Executive and Acting Chief Executive. In 2006, he was awarded a CBE for services to broadcasting.
Scott announced May 2013 that he was stepping down as CEO, with Jonathan Thompson recently appointed to take up the post in summer 2013.
Digital TV switchover saw the UK’s terrestrial television system converted fully to digital channels and services. Analogue channels broadcast from more than a thousand transmitter sites were switched off, region by region, and digital (Freeview) signals boosted to match coverage.
Before switchover, four million households in the UK were unable to receive digital television through an aerial as a result of the scarcity of airwaves suitable for broadcasting. Switching off the analogue system created the capacity to extend Freeview coverage to virtually all homes, including millions served by smaller relay transmitters.
Digital UK led the implementation of digital TV switchover from 2008-2012 and during 2013 is overseeing clearance of terrestrial TV services from the 800MHz band of spectrum to prepare for the launch of 4G mobile broadband services. It is responsible for viewer support, policy and broadcast operations on the digital terrestrial television platform.