Digital Switchover
What is the digital switchover
It’s a government policy designed to open up digital TV to everyone through an aerial. That means almost everyone will be able to get Freeview by the end of 2012.
Why is it happening?
At the moment, only 5 channels can be aired using the analogue TV aerial. Digital TV uses less broadcast space than analogue, so after the switchover there will be more room for new services such as wireless broadband, local TV and High Definition (HDTV).
What does digital TV offer?
- A greater choice of TV packages and channels
- On-screen TV listings
- Interactive programming
- Audio description for the visually impaired or deaf people
- Optional premium channels (eg for sport or films), broadband and telephone services.
What does this all mean?
To keep watching telly in the future, we’ll all need to convert all the TVs in our households to digital TV before the switchover date for our area, which is when the analogue signal will be switched off.
Visit the Digital UK website (the official body managing the switchover) to see when switchover is planned in your area.
