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October date for digital switch October date for digital switch
(10 minutes later)
The first stage of the digital switchover has been revealed, with Whitehaven in Cumbria the test area for the major change.The first stage of the digital switchover has been revealed, with Whitehaven in Cumbria the test area for the major change.
About 25,000 Whitehaven residents will see the old analogue signal switched off from 17 October.About 25,000 Whitehaven residents will see the old analogue signal switched off from 17 October.
BBC Two will be the first channel to be affected, with the remaining analogue terrestrial channels to be switched off on 14 November.BBC Two will be the first channel to be affected, with the remaining analogue terrestrial channels to be switched off on 14 November.
The switchover to a digital signal will be completed across the UK by 2012.The switchover to a digital signal will be completed across the UK by 2012.
By this time all TVs will need to be connected to Freeview, satellite or cable to keep working.
Digital UK, the body organising the switchover, said help will be provided for the installation of digital equipment for pensioners over the age of 75 and for people with certain disabilities.Digital UK, the body organising the switchover, said help will be provided for the installation of digital equipment for pensioners over the age of 75 and for people with certain disabilities.
DIGITAL TV 19.6 million of UK's 25.3 million homes receive digital TV30.9 million of UK's 60 million TV sets receive digital TVAnalogue switch-off starts in earnest with Border in 2008Whole of UK to be fully digital by end of 2012
The charity Age Concern will provide practical assistance for those who do not qualify for the scheme, such as pensioners under 75.The charity Age Concern will provide practical assistance for those who do not qualify for the scheme, such as pensioners under 75.
The announcement comes as it was revealed more than half of all UK TV sets do not receive a digital signal. Letters are being sent to all households in Whitehaven explaining the details of the switchover, and what help is available.
Almost 31 million of the country's 60 million sets are not hooked up to any digital receiver, Ofcom has said.
    class="bulletList">How the digital switchover will happen
But 25 million of those are secondary TVs in bedrooms or kitchens, with most principal sets already converted to digital.
  • From early May, captions will start appearing on analogue channels in Whitehaven and the surrounding area, warning viewers that the set they are watching must be adapted.
    • All TVs will need to be connected to Freeview, satellite or cable to keep working when the analogue TV signal is switched off between 2008-2012.
  • On October 17, BBC Two will cease broadcasting in analogue to Whitehaven, and the first group of Freeview digital channels: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC News 24 and CBBC will become available.
    • In total, 48.5% of all of the UK's TV sets received multi-channel TV at the end of 2006, according to Ofcom's latest Digital Progress Report.
  • During this transitional stage, analogue ITV1 will move to button 2 on remote controls to make way for the first group of digital channels.
    • But that rose to 78.6% when just main TV sets were counted.
  • On 14 November the remaining analogue channels will also be permanently switched off. Every home in the area will then be able to receive at least 18 Freeview channels, including ITV2, E4 and BBC Four, plus digital radio, via an aerial.
    • The most popular form of digital TV is Sky with almost eight million subscribers, followed by Freeview with 7.7 million Freeview-only homes.
    More than three million households receive digital cable through Virgin Media. The switchover will be carried out region by region, with the Borders the next to have its analogue signal switched off, beginning at the end of 2008.
    Broadcast minister Shaun Woodward said: "The countdown to a digital future has begun.
    "In October, Whitehaven will start the process of digital switchover. Residents will be able to reap the benefits of a greater choice of TV channels and better quality pictures and sound."