I can hear the TV salesman now; "but these TVs go to Eleven".

At times Australia's digital television efforts seem like a Spinal Tap-esque joke, but I think Network Ten might be on a winner with its new digital-only channel; Eleven.

Unlike ABC 24 and 7mate, thankfully Eleven doesn't come at the expense of existing high-def content. Instead it comes at the expense of One SD, the standard-def simulcast of Network Ten's high-def sports channel.

What's really interesting is that Network Ten intends to shift a lot of first-run programming over to Eleven, including its flagship programs Neighbours and The Simpsons. Until now, the 25 percent of Australian homes still watching analogue TV have only been missing out on repeats. Now they're actually missing out on new shows. Eleven will help drive them to upgrade, but the fact that One is now only available in high-def (along with ABC 24 and 7mate) will certainly encourage people to opt for higf-def gear.

It's taken nearly 10 years to get 75 percent of Australian homes switched over to digital TV, mostly because there's been little extra to see. Eleven will certainly help get the stragglers across the line before analogue TV is given the axe at the end of 2013.

Digital television must be better than analogue, now that it goes up to Eleven.