Digital TV Switchover

Countdown to Digital Switchover

Switchover from analogue to digital TV will be complete in North East Wales on 28th October 2009 when the Moel Y Parc transmitter switches off its analogue TV signal. Granada, which is also available in areas across North East Wales, starts its switchover process on 4th November 2009.

Many of you will already be enjoying digital TV through your aerial (Freeview), via satellite, with cable in some areas or through broadband.  However, it’s important to make sure every TV set and recorder that you plan to use after switchover is capable of working with digital signals.

With digital TV virtually all households will be able to receive around 20 of the most popular Freeview channels, as opposed to the five currently available on analogue TV. Many households will be able to receive more than 40 channels.

Information and help on switchover is available on the Digital UK website (www.digitaluk.co.uk) where you can find your options for switching to digital.  If you haven’t got a computer or access to the internet, information is also available by telephone. Simply call the Digital UK helpline on 08456 50 50 50. Welsh Language help and advice is available by calling 08458 48 48 48.

Switchover Help Scheme

The Switchover Help Scheme was set up by the Government and is run by the BBC. Its purpose is to make digital TV easy for older and disabled people by converting one of their televisions to digital in the run-up to digital TV switchover in their region.

People will be offered the help if they are aged 75 or over, registered blind or partially sighted, eligible for certain disability benefits or have lived in a care home for six months or more. About half a million people are eligible for the Switchover Help Scheme in Wales.

Eligible people in Wales will be offered a Freeview set top box installed on one of their TVs, at a subsidised cost of £40, or free if they also get income benefits. The equipment will give them access to more than 20 channels including all the public service channels.

The help also includes a demonstration of how to use the equipment, an aerial check and upgrade if necessary for those that own their own aerials, and a Help Line to ring for advice while they get used to it.  

If there are eligible people who cannot get digital television through an aerial, they will be offered satellite equipment from freesat from the BBC and ITV on the same terms.

Further information is available at www.helpscheme.co.uk

Information and Advice from Digital Outreach Ltd

Digital Outreach Ltd is available for people who are not eligible for assistance under the Switchover Help Scheme, but may benefit from extra information and advice.  

Digital Outreach Ltd works closely with the Switchover Help Scheme and Digital UK to provide impartial information on what people need to do to prepare for the switch to digital TV, and when they need to do it.  

Digital Outreach mobilises local charities in each transmitter area, giving them the resources to support their local communities through switchover by:

  • Distributing information and advice materials to local charities and their clients in the period before switchover
  • Providing switchover training for local charity staff and volunteers
  • Integrating switchover information and advice into relevant local voluntary and community sector activities and into existing home visits when appropriate
  • Organising meetings and events in the period before switchover and drop-in sessions at the time of switchover

Further information is available at www.digitaloutreach.org.uk

Useful links

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