With the transition to digital dissemination of television broadcasts, and in order to assist needy sectors of the population in purchasing the digital adapter required to receive the broadcasts, Minister of Finance Dr. Yuval Steinitz has signed an order allowing needy families to receive government assistance in the purchase of an adapter, subject to compliance with the conditions for receipt of the assistance.

Starting from August 2009, it is possible to receive through digital broadcasting the broadcasts of five free public broadcasting channels: 1, 33, 99, 2 and 10, which are open to the general public without paying a subscription fee. To enable reception of the broadcasts, an adapter is required which costs an estimated NIS 380. Needy families that purchase the adapter will be able, as mentioned, to receive government assistance at up to 50% of the cost of the device, based on criteria established in the order.

Minister of Finance Dr. Yuval Steinitz noted that "the assistance granted by the state for the purchase of the adapter will help reduce household expenditures on television broadcasts and allow the general population access to open broadcasts, bringing Israeli society into the digital era." The minister added that "the assistance is a basic stage in expanding the accessibility of low-cost quality communication services, as part of a general reform we are currently spearheading."

It is noted that the decision of the Israeli government from July 15, 2010 to approve the budget law and the economic plan for 2011-2012 states that consideration will be given to the possibility of expanding the use of the digital technology so as to provide low-cost, wide-ranging services to everyone, including the possibility of receiving additional broadcasting channels through the digital adapter beyond the five free broadcasting channels.