Broadcasting Minister Jonathan Coleman says the Government plans to set a date for switching off analogue television as quickly as possible, to give the public certainty.
A survey by Statistics New Zealand of the 40% of households which do not yet have a digital connection found 87% have no plans to get one in the next year.
Nearly half those not planning to get digital TV in the next 12 months said cost was the biggest turn-off, while over 40% stated they simply did not want it.
Dr Coleman says there are many people for whom digital television is not yet on the radar.
An advertising campaign will be begin once the date for the switch is set, he says, which will happen once uptake has reached 75% or by 2015 at the latest.
