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Town prepares for digital switch Town prepares for digital switch
(about 7 hours later)
The town of Whitehaven in Cumbria is gearing up to spearhead the digital era as it becomes the first place in the UK to lose the analogue TV signal.The town of Whitehaven in Cumbria is gearing up to spearhead the digital era as it becomes the first place in the UK to lose the analogue TV signal.
BBC Two will be first to go in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The remaining analogue channels will be switched off on 14 November.BBC Two will be first to go in the early hours of Wednesday morning. The remaining analogue channels will be switched off on 14 November.
Around 25,000 households will then need Freeview, satellite, cable or broadband in order to watch television.Around 25,000 households will then need Freeview, satellite, cable or broadband in order to watch television.
Analogue TV will be switched off in the rest of the UK by the end of 2012.Analogue TV will be switched off in the rest of the UK by the end of 2012.
About 84% of households have already installed digital equipment, according to media watchdog Ofcom.About 84% of households have already installed digital equipment, according to media watchdog Ofcom.
'Visual evidence''Visual evidence'
The people of Whitehaven have been the subject of a major campaign in recent months to make sure they are clear about what equipment they will need. The people of Whitehaven, and the surrounding borough of Copeland, have been the subject of a major campaign in recent months to make sure they are clear about what equipment they will need.
HOW SWITCHOVER WILL WORK 17 October - Whitehaven
  • BBC Two's analogue signal switched off
  • First group of Freeview channels become available (all BBC channels)14 November - Whitehaven
  • Remaining analogue channels switched off
  • Every home will be able to receive at least 18 Freeview channels2008-2012 - Rest of UK
  • Analogue signal turned off one transmitter at a time Local resident David Day, 61, who has bought a new television, described the publicity surrounding the event as immense.
    		•  HOW SWITCHOVER WILL WORK 17 October - Whitehaven
  • BBC Two's analogue signal switched off
  • First group of Freeview channels become available (all BBC channels)14 November - Whitehaven
  • Remaining analogue channels switched off
  • Every home will be able to receive at least 18 Freeview channels2008-2012 - Rest of UK
  • Analogue signal turned off one transmitter at a time class="" href="/1/hi/entertainment/4248774.stm">Q&A: Digital switchover Local resident David Day, 61, who has bought a new television, described the publicity surrounding the event as immense.
    • "We've been very much aware through the local press that this was going to come to us," he told the BBC News website."We've been very much aware through the local press that this was going to come to us," he told the BBC News website.
    "There have been posters and billboards everywhere, so there's a lot of visual evidence that something is happening."There have been posters and billboards everywhere, so there's a lot of visual evidence that something is happening.
    "There's been swarms of Sky people selling their special packages," he said."There's been swarms of Sky people selling their special packages," he said.
    But not everyone has been as organised as Mr Day.But not everyone has been as organised as Mr Day.
    A report published in July showed that, with just 100 days to go, 6,000 households in Whitehaven had not upgraded their television equipment.A report published in July showed that, with just 100 days to go, 6,000 households in Whitehaven had not upgraded their television equipment.
    The research, by Digital UK, also showed that about 2,000 households in the west Cumbrian town intended to wait until the 17 October deadline before making the switch.The research, by Digital UK, also showed that about 2,000 households in the west Cumbrian town intended to wait until the 17 October deadline before making the switch.
    On Monday, the firm - which is overseeing the move to digital TV - said that "probably nine out of 10 households" in Whitehaven were now ready.On Monday, the firm - which is overseeing the move to digital TV - said that "probably nine out of 10 households" in Whitehaven were now ready.
    "That does leave around 10% of households who have yet to do anything, although we are told the stores have been busy this weekend," said spokesman Jon Steele."That does leave around 10% of households who have yet to do anything, although we are told the stores have been busy this weekend," said spokesman Jon Steele.
    It's actually going to give Whitehaven a name now and I think people are quite happy that it will be the first for something Craig Carruthers, manager of local electrical storeIt's actually going to give Whitehaven a name now and I think people are quite happy that it will be the first for something Craig Carruthers, manager of local electrical store
    "The information is there in people's heads. People understand what they need to do and the next stage is for them to go and do it.""The information is there in people's heads. People understand what they need to do and the next stage is for them to go and do it."
    'Cautious anticipation''Cautious anticipation'
    Craig Carruthers has worked at the local branch of Currys.Digital electrical store for 13 years and says he has never known it to be as busy as it is now outside the Christmas period. Craig Carruthers has worked at the local branch of Currys.Digital electrical store for 13 years. He said he had not experienced such a rush outside the Christmas period.
    "We have been seeing an unprecedented amount of sales of set-top boxes and the hard disc recorders. People are aware that now they have to do something rather than be left with a blank TV screen," he said."We have been seeing an unprecedented amount of sales of set-top boxes and the hard disc recorders. People are aware that now they have to do something rather than be left with a blank TV screen," he said.
    The analogue signal for BBC Two is being switched offThe analogue signal for BBC Two is being switched off
    As a resident, he is proud that his home town has been chosen to test the switchover.As a resident, he is proud that his home town has been chosen to test the switchover.
    "It's actually going to give Whitehaven a name now and I think people are quite happy that it will be the first for something rather than it going to London or places like that. It's quite an important time for us," he added."It's actually going to give Whitehaven a name now and I think people are quite happy that it will be the first for something rather than it going to London or places like that. It's quite an important time for us," he added.
    With the switchover hour approaching, Tim Knowles, the Cabinet member for Copeland Borough Council, said residents were waiting for it with "cautious anticipation". With the switchover hour approaching, local councillor Tim Knowles said residents were waiting for it with "cautious anticipation".
    "I think people are looking forward to what the future might bring in terms of digital access but I think a lot of the older generation are rather concerned about what the next few weeks might bring," he said."I think people are looking forward to what the future might bring in terms of digital access but I think a lot of the older generation are rather concerned about what the next few weeks might bring," he said.
    Across the UK, new equipment, installation and support will be given to people over 75, those with significant disabilities and the blind.Across the UK, new equipment, installation and support will be given to people over 75, those with significant disabilities and the blind.
    The assistance will cost £40, or will be free for eligible people who are also on pension credit, job seeker's allowance or income support.The assistance will cost £40, or will be free for eligible people who are also on pension credit, job seeker's allowance or income support.
    And in Whitehaven, Age Concern has set up an information centre to help older residents.And in Whitehaven, Age Concern has set up an information centre to help older residents.
    However, Mr Knowles thought most people would leave it to the last minute.However, Mr Knowles thought most people would leave it to the last minute.
    "People will not realise that such a substantial change is coming until it actually happens and I think we'll find out on the day quite what the extent of that is," he said"People will not realise that such a substantial change is coming until it actually happens and I think we'll find out on the day quite what the extent of that is," he said
    Do you live in the area? Are you prepared for the digital switchover? Send us your comments using the form below.Do you live in the area? Are you prepared for the digital switchover? Send us your comments using the form below.
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