Final stage of north west switchover underway
The final stage of digital TV switchover in the north west of England is on course to complete today (2nd December) extending digital terrestrial television (Freeview) coverage to all households served by the Winter Hill transmitter group.
All terrestrial TV signals were turned off shortly after midnight and a team of engineers worked through the night on the switch to all-digital TV services. Analogue services will remain switched off permanently, allowing Freeview channels to be broadcast from dozens of local relay transmitters for the first time.
When the transition is completed by late afternoon, Freeview, BT Vision and Top Up TV equipment should be retuned in order to receive all the channels available.
A small proportion of Freeview viewers may not receive their preferred BBC or ITV services from today, or may find that Channel 4 has moved to a different button to be replaced by S4C. This is because digital TV signals, like analogue ones, overlap between regions. Digital UK provides advice on how to restore preferred regional services at digitaluk.co.uk/retuning or through the advice line.
Switching off the analogue signal makes it possible to extend the level of Freeview coverage to reach 99 per cent of households in the Granada TV region. Viewers receiving their signal from relay transmitters will see the number of TV channels available free via an aerial increase from four to around 15.
Digital TVs or analogue sets converted with a digital box will be able to receive BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five—plus additional digital channels, digital text and radio services.
Jo Waters, Regional Manager for Digital UK, said: "I'm pleased to report that the technical transition went according to plan and, from today, many more viewers will be able to receive digital TV free via an aerial. People across the north west have responded really well in adapting to the change and preparing in good time."
Digital UK, the independent body leading switchover, continues to provide support through local advice points its website (digitaluk.co.uk) and advice line (08456 50 50 50). Switchover roadshows are also running today in Chester, Liverpool, Manchester and Preston.
Eligible older and disabled people can apply until 2 January 2010 for practical help from the Switchover Help Scheme to convert one television—including a choice of equipment, installation and aftercare. Eligible people are entitled to help to convert one TV set in their home even if they have already converted a TV themselves. Help Scheme engineers will be working in the area over switchover to help with retuning, and viewers can contact the Help Scheme on 0800 408 7654.
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