Digital switchover gets underway

The first stage of the digital switchover, allowing all viewers in the West TV region to have access to Freeview began this week.

The switchover is a two-stage process which began on Wednesday 24 March and will complete on Wednesday 7 April, making Freeview available for all viewers who receive their signal from a relay transmitter.

The vast majority of households within the West TV region will have Freeview coverage after the switchover and viewers will see the line-up of channels on their televisions go from four or five to around 15. After 7 April the analogue signal will be turned off and any televisions not converted will be unable to receive any channels.

Help is available for eligible older and disabled people through the Switchover Help scheme. For just £40 people age 75 or over or who are eligible for certain disability benefits, registered blind or partially sighted or living in care homes can receive practical help to switch one TV set to digital.

Eligible people can also receive help switching over a second set, even if they have converted a TV by themselves already. For further information please go to www.helpscheme.co.uk .

Advice and information about the switchover is available at the Pop Inn Café located in Yate Shopping Centre on the 7 and 8 April from 10am to 4pm.

Mark Pullin, the council’s trading standards and licensing manager, said: “The digital switchover will herald an exciting new world of digital, free-to-view, television for many households across the district which were previously unable to receive Freeview channels. If residents have any questions about the switchover, please visit our experts at the Pop Inn Café in Yate.”

For further information on digital TV and the switchover please visit www.digitaluk.co.uk or ring 08456 50 50 50.

Source: South Gloucestershire Council

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