Leisure

Digital TV switchover

Summary: Information about the switchover to digital TV and how it affects you.

• Borders Switchover Starts - 6 November 2008
• Region by Region Switchover
• Assistance in Switching
• Audio Description
• Information Talks for Local Groups
• Further information

---

Digital television is inevitable! Sooner or later we will all have to convert our existing TVs to receive digital signals if we want to continue watching our favourite shows. Why? The current analogue signals that we all receive will be gradually switched off around the country, therefore every household will need to switchover to digital TV over the coming few years

If you have questions about the switchover in your region, call the Digital UK Helpline on 0800 519 2021.

Borders Switchover Starts - 6 November 2008

On Thursday 6 November the Selkirk transmitter that serves the Scottish Borders TV region will be switching from analogue to digital TV.

The next transmitter in the Borders region to switch will be the one that serves Douglas, this will be switched over on 18 June 2009. Finally the Caldbeck transmitter, serving the South Lake District, Cumbria and South West Scotland, switches over on 24th June 2009.

Leen Petré, Manager of RNIB’s Media and Culture Department said: “We welcome the support that people with sight problems have had in Borders, and will get throughout the country, from the government's help scheme. This provides a set-top box that delivers audio description as well as a user-friendly remote control. However this doesn’t go far enough. Without talking menus people with sight problems will be unable to access information about TV programmes.”

The concern over the lack of talking menus on digital television is explained in more detail in the digital TV switchover press release.

For information about audio description, a service that is available on digital television that can enhance viewing for blind and partially sighted viewers, visit our Audio Description on TV pages.

Region by Region Switchover

By 2013, television services in the UK will be completely digital, transferring to the new system region by region.

The current regional switchover dates are:

• Borders: November 2008 through to June 2009
• West Country: April 2009 - August 2009
• Wales: August 2009 - March 2010
• Granada: November 2009
• West, Grampian, Scottish: 2010
• Central, Yorkshire, Anglia: 2011
• Meridian, London, Tyne Tees, Ulster: 2012
• Channel Islands: 2013

For dates of actual switchover in your region visit the Digital UK Website.

Assistance in Switching

RNIB has played a crucial role in the design of the Targeted Help Scheme that has been created by the government. The scheme will help people who have not already switched to digital TV and are:

• registered blind or partially sighted
• over 75 years
• in receipt of Attendance Allowance or Disability Living Allowance
• requiring assistance in the run-up to switchover in their region.

It will be free to eligible households. This includes those on Income Support, Job Seeker’s Allowance or Pension Credit. Other households will be asked to make a contribution of around £40.

A few months prior to switchover in your region, the scheme will give you:

• the necessary equipment to convert one TV set
• help with installation, provided by a registered digital installer
• follow-up support if needed.

For further information about the help available call Digital UK on 0800 519 2021 or visit the Digital UK website.

Audio Description

For information about audio description, a service that is available on digital television that can enhance viewing for blind and partially sighted viewers, visit our Audio Description on TV pages.

Information Talks for Local Groups

RNIB is offering information talks to local groups around the UK to advise blind and partially sighted people about digital switchover and audio description. If you would be interested in a speaker attending your group then please contact Peter Atkin on 020 7391 2258 or email peter.atkin@rnib.org.uk

Further information

For further information about digital television and switchover please email broadcasting@rnib.org.uk or telephone 020 7391 2398.

Content author: broadcasting@rnib.org.uk

Last updated: 20/11/2008 11:13