Granada FAQs

• How long will switchover take in the Granada region?
• How will switchover take place?
• Which transmitters are affected by the Granada switchover?
• I already watch Freeview. Will switchover affect me?
• I receive my transmissions from a self-help relay. Will I still receive a terrestrial signal after switchover?
• Will I need a new aerial to receive the digital transmissions?
• My current analogue reception is poor. Will digital transmissions improve my signal?
• I live in a flat and share my aerial with others. What do I need to do?
• Will everyone in the Granada region be able to get all of the Freeview channels, even if they get their TV from a small local relay transmitter?
• Is Channel M, the local television service for Manchester, affected by switchover?
• I live outside the Granada region, but watch Granada as well as my local ITV service. Will I still be able to do this after switchover?
• I didn't receive a leaflet. What do I need to do?

• How long will switchover take in the Granada region?

  Preparatory engineering work on the transmitter masts across the Granada TV region will begin well before 2009. Generally, this should have little or no effect on viewers other than a few short breaks in service outside peak viewing times. The switchover process itself will be completed in the second half of 2009.

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• How will switchover take place?

  Switchover will start with switching BBC Two to digital-only. There will then be a month’s grace period, so that if there are problems with your set-up, there will be time to resolve them. We will send you information about the exact date of switchover in your area nearer the time.

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• Which transmitters are affected by the Granada switchover?

  Switchover affects the main transmitter for the Granada region at Winter Hill, and all 69 of its relay transmitters.

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• I already watch Freeview. Will switchover affect me?

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• I receive my transmissions from a self-help relay. Will I still receive a terrestrial signal after switchover?

  Self-helps are separately licensed by Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator, which is currently considering the future role of self-helps after switchover. We’ll let you know their decision as soon as we can.

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• Will I need a new aerial to receive the digital transmissions?

  No. In most cases, if your current aerial is in good condition, you should be able to receive the digital transmissions.

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• My current analogue reception is poor. Will digital transmissions improve my signal?

  It depends on how bad your reception is and the reasons why. If your aerial is outside and in good condition but the analogue pictures are slightly snowy, then after switchover it’s likely your reception will improve. However, if your aerial is outside and in good condition but the reception is very poor currently, it’s unlikely to get better because the new digital transmitters should give roughly the same coverage as the old analogue ones do now. If your aerial is indoors or in a poor condition then a replacement may improve your signal. Digital satellite is a good alternative solution, and Sky offers a ‘Freesat’ option (for a one-off payment) as well as subscription pay-TV.

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• I live in a flat and share my aerial with others. What do I need to do?

  If you share your aerial with others then you may have a communal TV system. If so, this may need to be adapted to receive digital television. Your landlord or managing agent should be aware of this and be making plans. Ask them for more information or download a brochure from the Property Managers section of this website.

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• Will everyone in the Granada region be able to get all of the Freeview channels, even if they get their TV from a small local relay transmitter?

  If your TV signal comes from a relay transmitter you will receive all of the public service channels, including all of the additional BBC digital channels, and extra services from ITV and Channel 4, plus channel Five, as well as many digital radio services. However you may not receive the full range of commercial channels available on Freeview such as Sky News.

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• Is Channel M, the local television service for Manchester, affected by switchover?

  Not if you are watching on Sky or cable. Local terrestrial television services are separately licensed by Ofcom, the broadcasting regulator, which is currently considering the future role of local television after switchover. We’ll let you know their decision as soon as we can.

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• I live outside the Granada region, but watch Granada as well as my local ITV service. Will I still be able to do this after switchover?

  Possibly. All transmissions “overspill” the region they are aimed at, and may be received outside the service area. However, the new digital transmitter network will have more transmissions in less spectrum (or space) than is the case for analogue, so the pattern of overspill across the UK will not be the same as it is today.

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• I didn't receive a leaflet. What do I need to do?

  It will take Royal Mail a number of weeks to deliver the leaflet in the Granada region. You can download a copy of the leaflet here.

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