 What is Digital TV Switchover? Television in the UK is going digital! Starting in 2008 and ending in 2012, TV services in the UK will go completely digital, TV region by TV region, this process is called digital switch over. The UK’s old television broadcast signal (known as analogue) is being switched off and replaced with a “digital” signal. Any TV set that’s not converted to digital when the switchover takes place will no longer receive TV programmes. If you currently receive just the traditional five UK channels (BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, Channel 4 and Five) – or only some of them – on any of your TV sets, you’ll need to think about your options for getting digital TV. Every TV set you want to keep watching in your home will need to be converted or upgraded to digital. How do I make the switch? Switching can be as easy as connecting their existing TV to a Freeview box. Others may want a greater choice of channels so they may choose a subscription service such as Sky, Virgin Media, or TopUp TV. Others may want a non-subsciption satellite service such as Freesat or Freesat from Sky. 
If you have poor or snowy TV reception now you may need to consider replacing your existing aerial Some properties may require planning permission for digital equipment. Trees and hills can affect the quality of the signal. If you receive a good analogue signal now the aerial should be OK. If you have a set top aerial and get a good picture now it should be fine after switchover. If you want to record one channel while watching another you’ll need to get a digital TV recorder. Your radio will be unaffected by the switchover. You’ll need to convert all the TVs that you watch TV programmes on.
Switchover is a complicated process, and needs to be done in stages so that everyone in the country will be ready for it. Don’t worry; you'll get plenty of notice before services in your area are affected, and advice on what to do. |
