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Town completes digital switchover Town completes digital switchover
(about 5 hours later)
The town of Whitehaven in Cumbria has become the first place in the UK to turn off the analogue signal completely and switch to digital TV. The town of Whitehaven in Cumbria has become the first place in the UK to turn off the analogue signal as part of the official switchover to digital TV.
Last month BBC Two's analogue signal was turned off, and the rest of the terrestrial channels followed in the early hours of Wednesday.Last month BBC Two's analogue signal was turned off, and the rest of the terrestrial channels followed in the early hours of Wednesday.
Around 25,000 households now need Freeview, satellite, cable or broadband in order to watch television.Around 25,000 households now 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.
Helping the elderly
The switchover process in Whitehaven started at 0200 GMT. Then at 0327 GMT, 20 Freeview channels and 10 radio stations began broadcasting.The switchover process in Whitehaven started at 0200 GMT. Then at 0327 GMT, 20 Freeview channels and 10 radio stations began broadcasting.
Ford Ennals, chief executive of Digital UK, the organisation overseeing digital switchover, said: "This is a big day for the area and for television in the UK."Ford Ennals, chief executive of Digital UK, the organisation overseeing digital switchover, said: "This is a big day for the area and for television in the UK."
Helping the elderly A Digital UK spokesman added: "The technical aspect has gone exactly to plan, and we are also staying in Whitehaven for a while to provide help to anyone who needs it."
Age Concern had been working closely with Digital UK to prevent confusion amongst pensioners. The organisation's call centre had been quiet on Wednesday morning, he said.
Claire Dobson from the charity said people had found the whole experience "positive". "I think we take that as a fairly good sign, which means that our advice has got through."
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
    		• 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
    • Age Concern had been working closely with Digital UK to prevent confusion among older viewers.
    The charity's Claire Dobson said people had found the whole experience "positive".
    "It was shown after the October switchover that very few people had any major issues about what was going on," she said."It was shown after the October switchover that very few people had any major issues about what was going on," she said.
    She said one 95-year-old man who had sought advice had later told Age Concern that he thought re-tuning was "a doddle".She said one 95-year-old man who had sought advice had later told Age Concern that he thought re-tuning was "a doddle".
    There will still be help for those who are not so confident. The Digital Switchover Help Scheme has been set up for people who are over the age of 75 or registered disabled.There will still be help for those who are not so confident. The Digital Switchover Help Scheme has been set up for people who are over the age of 75 or registered disabled.
    Out of 9,000 people who are eligible in the area, more than 2,500 have opted for assistance.Out of 9,000 people who are eligible in the area, more than 2,500 have opted for assistance.
    Meanwhile, sales of digital TVs, set-top boxes and scart leads have continued to soar in the town.Meanwhile, sales of digital TVs, set-top boxes and scart leads have continued to soar in the town.
    However David Sinclair, head of policy at Help the Aged, thinks more needs to be done to ensure the switchover runs smoothly across the rest of the UK.
    "There are still analogue products on the market and we believe there should be mandatory labelling of analogue products and products which won't work after switchover without an adaptation," he said.
    "At the moment there are people still going into shops and buying products which may not work in a year's time," he added.