The digital terrestrial television audience has grown 60% in two months with the extension of free digital broadcasting coverage, the Commerce & Economic Development Bureau says.

A survey conducted by the Government and Hong Kong's two free-to-air broadcasters at the end of July found 15.6% of households, about 351,000 families, watched digital television via digital receivers, including set-top boxes or integrated digital television sets or computers, up 60% compared to the take-up rate of 9.7% at the end of May.

The bureau believes more people will switch to digital TV with six new transmitting stations coming into service extending the digital footprint to all 18 districts covering 75% of the population.

It urged the public to select digital receivers with labels issued by the Office of the Telecommunications Authority, and buy from authorised dealers.

Applications for labelling 152 digital receivers had been received by August 11, of which 81, including 22 integrated digital TV sets, were granted the higher-tier label.

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