Digital Switch-Over
Television in the UK is changing from the current analogue system to digital transmission only. This means that unless you adjust your television to receive digital signals you will not get any TV channels in future. This is called digital switch-over. It will happen between 2008 and 2012. You still have plenty of time to switch to digital viewing, however about 66 per cent of UK households already use digital television.
What is digital switchover and why is it happening?
Digital switch-over is the conversion of television broadcasting from analogue to digital. It will take place region by region between 2008 and 2012. After the switch in your region, you’ll need to convert or upgrade every TV set you continue to watch.
After switchover, as well as the current channels (BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 and Five), you’ll have an added choice of digital channels including BBC 3, BBC 4, ITV2, ITV3, E4, More4, CBBC, Cbeebies and BBC News 24.
Why is the switch-over happening?
The switch-over will mean that more people will be able to enjoy the benefits of digital TV and will make a wide range of digital television options more affordable. Until digital switch-over is complete, about one in four UK households cant get the full range of digital TV services available free through an aerial, and one in five UK households cannot get Five through their aerial.
Digital switch-over will make sure the best available technology is in use. It will also make space for new services like high definition TV and broadcasting to mobile phones.
When is the digital switch-over happening?
Digital switch-over will take place TV region by TV region starting with the Border TV region in 2008 and ending in Ulster around 2012. This is the confirmed timetable for switchover:
| TV Region | Date |
|---|---|
| Border | 2008, second half |
| West Country | 2009, first half |
| HTV Wales | 2009, second half |
| Granada | 2009, second half |
| HTV West | 2010, first half |
| Grampian | 2010, first half |
| Scottish Television | 2010, first half |
| Yorkshire | 2011, first half |
| Anglia | 2011, first half |
| Central | 2011, first half |
| Meridian | 2012, first half |
| Carlton / LWT (London) | 2012, first half |
| Tyne Tees | 2012, second half |
| Ulster | 2012, second half |
You will get plenty of notice before services in your area are affected and plenty of advice on what to do through various media - but you could start thinking about your digital TV options today.
How much will it cost?
Going digital can be simple and inexpensive. Most households have a choice of options and can weigh up the services they want against what they want to spend.
Most existing TV sets can be adapted with a digital box, with basic digital boxes starting at around £40. Contact your local electrical goods shop or TV rental company for more information on products available and how to connect them. Alternatively you can replace your old TV with one that has a decoder built into it, known as an integrated digital TV set or iDTV.
Between two and ten per cent of households are likely to need a new aerial. Again, there are a large variety of available options.
Will switching to digital affect TV licences?
If you need a TV licence today, you will still need one after digital switchover. The cost is the same and you don’t need a separate licence to watch digital television.
Source: DirectGov. Crown copyright.