Digital switchover is gradually being rolled out across the UK, and action is needed by the switchover date if you wish to continue viewing television, but it can also be done quite cheaply. In this article, we take a look at the digital switchover dates and what alternative services are available.
Switchover dates
Many regions are already digital only areas, but the following have still to be rolled out:-
- STV Central region. This area is being switched over now - February 2011
- Ulster Television. During 2012
- Tyne Tees. During 2012
- Yorkshire TV. Starts 3rd August 2011
- Central TV. Starts 30th March 2011
- Anglia TV. Starts 30th March 2011
- London TV. Starts in 2012
- Meridian TV. Starts in 2012
What services are available after switchover?
When the digital switchover has been completed in your area, you will not be able to receive BBC1, BBC2, ITV, Channel 4 or Channel 5 without a digital tuner. Fortunately, the cost of going digital is quite cheap for most people starting from about £15 with no further subscriptions.
Freeview.
Freeview is a great service giving you far more choice than the old analogue system. For the majority of viewers, a simple Freeview receiver can be plugged into the aerial lead and then onto the TV. Changing channels is done completely via the remote control of the Freeview receiver. In a small number of cases, a new aerial might be needed to pick up these services, but for the vast majority of viewers no upgrade is required. It’s always best to check first before allowing someone to fit an new aerial and help is available from the Government for people aged over 75 years.
Changing over to Freeview will give most viewers an extra 50 TV channels to watch including the time-shifted +1 services.
Freesat.
Freesat is a satellite service, giving viewers a bigger choice of TV channels than Freeview but a much higher cost due to having a satellite dish fitted. There are no subscription charges after it has been installed. HD channels are available so long as you have a suitable satellite receiver, so check carefully with an independent installer.
Freesat from Sky
This is the free version from Sky and has a larger selection of channels than the normal Freesat, including film channels, but there is no HD available on this platform. The initial cost of the dish is cheaper than the other form of Freesat, and you will need a viewing card from Sky, but there are no monthly charges. This is a good system if you think you might switch over to pay TV at some point.
If you are moving into a new home which already has a dish installed, you may be able to just plug a satellite receiver onto the dish and a viewing card from Sky to be able to watch straight away.
Pay TV services - premium channels
If you decide you’d like the extra premium channels, then there are several different operators to look at. These are Top Up TV, Sky Television, Virgin Media, BT Vision and a few local cable operators.
All these services will add many channels not available elsewhere and may also include broadband as part of the price. Most of these operators have good deals to new customers and you should check online for the best options.
Without a doubt, digital TV has added an enormous choice of channels, and as the UK approaches 1000 TV channels, the choice has never been greater or more complicated.
Ryan Taylor - Ryan has been a writer for many years and started when the only option was a typewriter. Ryan enjoys a wide variety of writing and is ...
