What?

Put simply, the digital switchover is the process of turning off the UK’s analogue TV signal and replacing it with a digital signal.

In 2007, the process started with the town of Whitehaven in Cumbria, and by the end of 2012, the whole country will be receiving their TV signal digitally.

Why?

There are a number of reasons why the Government have decided to make the switch:

• Currently, 25% of UK households cannot receive digital television via their aerial. By switching off the existing analogue signal, the digital TV signal is boosted and therefore provides people with a greater choice of digital options.
• Digital TV uses less broadcast space which means that after switchover, there will be more room on the digital spectrum for new services such as wireless broadband, local TV and High Definition Television (HDTV).
• It offers new features such as on-screen listings, interactivity, audio description and subtitling for people with visual and audio impairments.

When?

The digital switchover in your area depends on where in the country you live. It’s happening TV region by TV region and to help you, the proposed start dates for each region are as follows:

Anglia: Complete

Border: Complete

Central: Complete

Channel Islands: Complete

Granada (including Isle of Man): Complete

London: Begins 4th April 2012

Meridian: Begins 8th February 2012

STV Central: Complete

STV North: Complete

Tyne Tees: Begins 12th September 2012

UTV: Begins 2012

Wales: Complete

West: Complete

West Country: Complete

Yorkshire: Complete

Now what?

For further information and advice on how the digital switchover is likely to affect you, and to discuss the various options available, please contact TVAV Installations today. All of our engineers are Registered Digital Installers (RDI-LB).

Mrs F, St Albans, Herts