Many households have more than one TV set

BBC figures suggest multi-channel homes are rapidly rising, with sales of the free-to-air Freeview platform a factor.

The government plans to switch off the analogue signal by 2010, but still has to persuade those opposed to change to sign up.

But research suggests many of those who previously resisted subscribing to satellite TV have now bought Freeview.

Figures from July to September 2003 show that 52% of Freeview consumers are from the ABC1 economic categories, indicating it attracts audiences who would not normally have subscribed to pay television.

'Growing steadily'

Freeview offers up to 30 TV channels, ranging from news to entertainment, including the BBC's digital TV and radio stations.

Sales of the Freeview boxes are close to topping the 2.5 million mark, with an average 100,000 a week sold.

Take-up of Freeview reached one million homes before any other comparable consumer technology including PlayStation 2 and DVD.

Some households will still have access to Freeview through digital boxes originally provided by the now defunct ITV Digital.

"We're exceptionally pleased with the news that the digital television market as a whole is growing steadily and that now half the population is set to have the full line-up of BBC channels," said Andy Duncan, director of BBC Marketing and Communications.

If the target of digital TV being in all homes by 2010 is to be reached, the TV-watching public would also need ensure all of their TV sets are set up to receive a digital signal.