Digital Television Switchover

Are you prepared?

I’m fairly prepared, I’ve had SKY for years, but opted for a “Freeview” box – with no monthly charges – when we moved into a new home 2 years ago, which I must say is really good – sure I miss the Discovery channel and Sky One etc, but even with Digital Freeview you have similar channels that also give you your daily feed of Sharks and Nazis, thus quench your thirst for televisual dribble. Plus having experimented with cheap (£15 Tesco Box) set top boxes, I bought an expensive Humax PVR which pauses live TV, and I record everything on it – EVERYTHING!

More recently, I’ve moved into Digital FreeSat – I personally don’t think it’s as diverse by way of programs and channels as Freeview, but you do get BBC HD and ITV HD for free! and as it came built-in with my new 50″ 1080p Panasonic Plasma TV, I’m happy with running both Freeview and FreSat – ok FreeSat also requires a satellite dish, but the install was free with the TV, and if you had sky, you’ll probably still have a dish too! Soon I hope to get the new Humax FreeSat HD PVR, which includes a beloved HDMI connection.

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My only issue with the digital switchover, is that my car has a TV built in to the dash, and I’m going to lose that – and I LOVE being able to flick on the TV in jams, or even listen to it as I drive along… I’ve heard that digital receivers are available, but I’ve not looked into it, and I bet it wont be cheap.

The long and short of it for most people worried about having to buy new televisions, and most of us have more than one!, is to pop out to a local electrical store, even a supermarket, and buy a cheap set-top box, and a Scart cable, and you’ll be able to carry on using the same TV – with more channels and better quality! (Of course you can spend more and get FreeSat or SKY as they both use a dish.. and Sky costs a packet!

What is digital TV switchover?

Switchover is the process of converting the UK’s terrestrial television system to digital. Between now and 2012, analogue channels broadcast from more than a thousand transmitter sites will be switched off region by region and replaced with Freeview digital TV and radio services.

Why is it happening?

Households in many parts of the UK are currently unable to receive Freeview services. Switching off the existing analogue broadcasting system will create the capacity necessary to extend coverage to the whole country. Broadcasting in digital format is also a more efficient way to transmit television signals and will free up airwaves for new services such as ultra-fast wireless broadband and mobile television. Switching the terrestrial TV system to digital will ensure the UK keeps pace with other leading countries, many of which are also switching to all digital broadcasting.

What is Digital UK?

Digital UK is the independent, not-for-profit organisation set up by the main UK broadcasters to implement digital switchover. The company, launched in September 2005, is jointly owned and funded by the public-service broadcasters (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, S4C and Teletext), and digital multiplex operators SDN and Arqiva. Digital UK is running a £200m, seven-year national and regional information campaign and provides information to the public via a helpline (08546 50 50 50) and website (digitaluk.co.uk).

What do viewers need to do?

Most people have already converted their main TV to digital. Viewers must ensure that their TVs are capable of receiving a digital signal in order to continue receiving television services after switchover. Virtually any TV, even black and white ones, can be converted with a digital box. Anyone buying new TV equipment should look for the ‘digital tick’ logo (right) which identifies equipment designed to work before, during and after switchover.

What are the different ways to get digital TV?

There are three main options for going digital:

• Convert your existing TV with a digital set-top box(eg Freeview, Top Up TV, BT Vision*)
• Get a service like satellite, cable or broadband TV installed for you(eg Sky, Freesat, Virgin Media, Wight Cable, SmallWorld or Tiscali TV)
• Get a new TV with digital built-in (eg Freeview, Freesat)* Requires broadband connection

A postcode checker on the Digital UK website (digitaluk.co.uk) tells viewers which options are available in their area now and after switchover.

How much does digital television cost?

For those getting digital for the first time or who are converting secondary sets around the home, the cost will vary according to the number of TVs and method of conversion. It’s estimated that 5-10% of households may need to replace damaged aerials in order to receive Freeview signals.

• Freeview digital boxes cost around £20
• Integrated digital televisions start from around £150
• Freesat from Sky costs approximately £150 (includes installation)
• Freesat from BBC/ITV costs from £49 for a standard box and £80 for installation
• Subscriptions (e.g. Sky, Virgin, Top Up TV) start from approximately £10 per month
• Digital television recorders cost from around £80
• A standard new roof aerial normally costs £60-180

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When will switchover happen?

The UK’s first switchover took place in Copeland, Cumbria (including the town of Whitehaven) in November 2007, and Border became the first TV region to complete switchover in July 2009. The process will continue transmitter by transmitter across each TV region between now and 2012 (see map).

What happens at switchover?

Switchover is a two-stage process. At stage one, BBC Two will cease broadcasting in analogue and BBC digital channels will become available for the first time to viewers watching local ‘relay’ transmitters. Existing Freeview viewers will need to retune their equipment to continue receiving BBC digital channels.

At stage two, the remaining analogue channels will be permanently switched off and replaced with additional digital services. New and existing Freeview viewers will need to retune to receive all the digital channels available in their area.

What channels will viewers get?

Switchover will make Freeview television channels available across the UK. Viewers choosing to get digital television this way will be able to receive BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, C4 (and S4C in Wales) and Five plus a range of digital channels and services free via an aerial. Channel availability depends on where you live and which transmitter you get your signal from. Most households will be able to receive more than 40 Freeview channels via an aerial; 20 of the most popular channels will be available elsewhere (see the table below for a region by region breakdown).

Viewers can find out more about digital TV options and the Freeview channels available in their area by visiting digitaluk.co.uk or calling Digital UK on 08456 50 50 50.

Source: Ofcom, September 2008. 20 refers to the total number of TV services available. As some services are broadcast on shared channels, the number available at any one time will be typically around 17.

What other equipment is affected by switchover?

After switchover, analogue recorders will still be able to play tapes and discs but will need to be connected to a digital television or one which has been converted with a digital box in order to record programmes. Analogue recorders will also lose their independent recording function, ie they will only be able to record the digital channel being watched. Viewers updating their recording equipment are recommended to look for a digital DVD recorder or a digital TV recorder which stores programmes on a hard disk and can pause or rewind live TV.

The Freeview signal will be improved at switchover in each region to make it less susceptible to interference and picture break-up. Some early digital televisions and digital boxes – in particular ON Digital (and ITV Digital) devices – are not compatible with this signal. Owners of affected digital boxes are advised to replace them with a product carrying the ‘digital tick’. Affected televisions can be upgraded using a digital box.

A list of affected products is available at digitaluk.co.uk/2kequipment.

Do viewers need HD TV equipment for switchover?

No. There’s no need to buy HD equipment for digital switchover. Viewers choosing to do so should make sure it carries the ‘digital tick’ logo. HD services are currently available on satellite and cable.

What help is available?

There is a range of switchover help available. Digital UK co-ordinates public information campaigns in each region during the lead up to switchover. It also operates a helpline (08456 50 50 50), website (digitaluk.co.uk) and postcode checker which informs viewers about the digital television services available in their area.

Digital UK also works with a range of organisations which provide information about digital television to consumers. They include broadcasters, digital platform operators, retailers and local authorities. In addition, it has formed a partnership with a consortium of national charities, including Age Concern and Help the Aged, which will provide information and advice to people who might need some extra help.

The Switchover Help Scheme has been established by the BBC to offer practical assistance at the time of switchover to approximately seven million households. You are eligible for the scheme if you:

• are aged 75 years or over; or
• have lived in a care home for six months or more; or
• get (or could get) certain disability benefits, or
• are registered blind or partially sighted

Eligible households will be offered the following:

• equipment to convert one television set
• installation and demonstration of equipment
• follow-up support

There will be a fee of £40 for the help. For eligibleclaimants who also receive income support, job seeker’s allowance or pension credit, the help will be provided free.

For more information about the Switchover Help Scheme, visit helpscheme.co.uk

Which TV channels are available on Freeview?

Switchover will make digital TV and radio available from local relay transmitters for the first time, extending Freeview coverage to 98.5% of UK households (the same as analogue coverage today). In areas yet to switch, digital terrestrial services are only available from main transmitters. Channel availability depends on where you live and the type of transmitter you get your signal from. Virtually all households will receive the five main terrestrial services – availability of other channels is subject to change.

Viewers can check the services available in their area by using the postcode checker at www.digitaluk.co.uk, or by calling our helpline on 08456 505050. The table below shows the line up of free-to-air channels as of July 2009. Additional digital radio, text and subscription services are available in some areas.

BBC One BBC Two ITV1 Channel 4 S4C (Wales only) FIVE Teletext/NHS Direct Teletext on 4 BBC Three BBC Four BBC News CBeebies CBBC Channel BBC Parliament BBCi ITV2 ITV3 ITV4 Channel 4+1 S4C2 (Wales only) More4 E4 Community TeleG (Scotland only) Rabbit Gay Rabbit DirectGov ITV2 +1 CITV E4+1 Film4 4Music Five USA Fiver Teletext Holidays Teletext Casino SuperCasino Sky Three Sky News Sky Spts News Sky Text CNN Virgin1 Virgin1+1 Dave Dave Ja Vu TMF Yesterday QVC bid tv QUEST Netplay Ideal World Teachers’ TV Gems TV Gems TV1 SmileTV SmileTV2 Russia today Partyland Trove Rocks & Co. Lottery Xtra Dating 1-2-1

* National variations apply in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. After switchover, the TV channels in bold will be available to virtually all UK households free via an aerial. Nine out of ten homes will also receive the additional channels shown.

Digital television switchover is the biggest change to television since the introduction of colour. Here are some statistics illustrating the scale of the project.

• 60m Estimated number of television sets in the UK
• 22.7m Number of UK households which have digital TV on at least one set
• 21.4m Number of secondary TVs now converted to digital
• 4.4m Number of integrated digital televisions (with Freeview built in) sold in the last six months of 2008
• 1,154 Number of TV television transmitter sites around the country which will be upgraded for switchover
• 90% Proportion of UK adults aware of digital switchover in TV regions yet to switch
• 82% Proportion of shoppers in areas yet to switch able to recognise the ‘digital tick’ logo, which certifies TV equipment that will work now, during and after switchover 9.8m Number of households watching Freeview on their main TV
• 9.4m Number of households watching digital satellite TV
• 3.3m Number of households subscribing to digital cable TV
• £5-10bn Estimated benefit to the UK economy from spectrum released by switching off analogue TV signals
• 7m Number of households in the UK estimated to be eligible for the Switchover Help Scheme

(Sources: Digital UK Switchover Tracker Survey; Ofcom Digital Progress Report; Gfk Retail and Technology)

(Source: digitaluk.co.uk)