Broadcast News

Bookmark and Share
16/09/2005

Culture Secretary confirms five-year digital TV switchover timetable

The government has announced details of the five-year phased switchover to digital television across the ITV regions.
Announcing the switchover at the Royal Television Society Cambridge Convention 2005, Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell said: “Digital television is no longer a probability, it is a certainty. And I believe it can leave us with a legacy of more choice, for more people, than anywhere else in the world.”
The digital switchover will happen gradually throughout the ITV regions between 2008 and 2012, with the Border region switching first in 2008 and the Meridian, Carlton/LWT, Tyne Tees and Ulster switching in 2012.
Nearly two-thirds of UK households already have digital television. The reason for the complete switchover to digital is because the current system of jointly broadcasting in analogue and digital is inefficient. Currently, only 73% of households can get access to the full range of digital TV services, while one fifth cannot access Five.
Access can only be increased by switching off the analogue signal.
Ms Jowell also announced a support scheme for the most vulnerable households, which would be funded by the BBC through the licence fee. Under the scheme, help in making the switchover will be provided for the over-75s, those with significant disabilities and those receiving benefits such as income support of jobseekers allowance.
The assistance will include the provision of necessary equipment to convert one TV set and the relevant support to install and use the equipment.
Households can access digital television in the UK through a satellite, cable, aerial or telephone line. In order to watch broadcast television services through an aerial after switchover viewers will need to convert their analogue TV sets and recording equipment or purchase a digital television set.
Digital switchover will be phased in between 2008 and 2012 by ITV region in the following order:
  • 2008 - Border
  • 2009 – West Country, HTV Wales, Granada
  • 2010 HTV West, Grampian, Scottish Television
  • 2011 Yorkshire, Anglia, Central
  • 2012 Meridian, Carlton/LWT (London), Tyne Tees, Ulster
After the switchover, viewers will be able to receive all the standard channels, as well as digital channels such as BBC3 and 4 and ITV 2 and 3. The coverage of Five will also be dramatically increased.
(KMcA/SP)
Solidmate Ltd Memory Card Hire London

Top Related Stories
Click here for the latest broadcast news stories.

25/08/2023
ITV Studios Becomes An Associate Member Of The TV Access Project
ITV Studios has become an Associate Member of the TV Access Project (TAP), as part of its wider commitment to make the TV industry more accessible for
27/04/2004
BBC publishes first report on digital TV switchover
The BBC has published its first report on the proposed switchover to digital television. The report, ‘Progress Towards Achieving Digital Switchover’,
07/01/2004
Research finds public ambivalent about digital television
More people would be willing to take up digital television if they were given the right information and the switchover were easy and cost-effective, a
01/04/2004
Ofcom report to urge action on digital television switchover
Government and industry cannot rely on market forces alone to deliver near-universal switchover from analogue to digital broadcasting in television, O
07/09/2005
ITV and BBC launch 'Freesat' digital service
ITV has today announced a new service in conjunction with the BBC that will further strengthen its position in the digital television environment. ITV
31/03/2010
Digital Radio Switchover 'Confused'
A powerful committee of peers has warned of a "major public reaction" against radio's digital switchover, scheduled for 2015. The House of Lords Commu
12/02/2008
BBC Choose Eaga Plc As Preferred Supplier For Digital Switchover Help Scheme
The BBC has selected eaga plc (eaga) as the preferred supplier to deliver the Digital Switchover Help Scheme, subject to contract. Up to seven million
02/01/2002
JOWELL WELCOMES NEW VIEWERS’ PANEL REPORT
Greater channel choice, Internet access, e-mail and home shopping will attract people to switch to digital television, according to a new Viewers’ Pan
15/10/2001
GOVERNMENT SIGNALS NEXT STEP FOR DIGITAL TV
MOVES to increase quality, reliability and geographical coverage of Digital TV have been announced by Douglas Alexander, E-Commerce Minister, and Kim
23/10/2006
Ofcom Report On Progress Of Digital Television
Ofcom recently published its Communications Market: Digital Television Progress Report for the second quarter of 2006 (April-June). The report shows t
06/02/2014
Digital TV Labs Chosen As Accredited Test Centre For Ghana DTT Receiver Conformance
Digital TV Labs has been appointed as an accredited test centre for DTT receiver conformance in Ghana, supporting the country's digital switchover. To
06/02/2002
Details of Go Digital trial announced
Go Digital, the digital neighbourhood trial, have announced details of how, from the end of January onwards, households in the Sutton Coldfield, Tamwo
12/01/2010
Lords Launch Digital Switchover Inquiry
The House of Lords Communications Committee has announced an inquiry into the progress of, and prospects for, digital switchover of both television an
13/04/2012
UK Prepares For Final Digital Switchovers
The UK-wide digital switch-over is nearing completion and an information campaign to help people switch over to digital TV is being launched. The digi
08/08/2001
GO DIGITAL PILOT PROJECT LAUNCHES
GO DIGITAL, the digital neighbourhood pilot project, have announced the launch partners and the trial location in the West Midlands comprising Sutton