More Information

Why do you need my house number?

We need your house name or number so that we can predict which transmitter you are likely to receive your TV reception from; this will determine what your digital options are. If we made a prediction based on your postcode only, then the result would be far less accurate.

What do these dates mean?

The dates refer to times when there will be a significant change to your digital reception through your aerial. One of the dates will be when your transmitter switches from the old ‘analogue’ signal to ‘digital’. The nearer an area moves to switchover the more precise the digital switchover date will become. We will initially only be able to report the year a region will switch, as we get closer we will be able to report by calendar quarter, then month, then by actual date.

Green

These symbols refer to the availability of BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, C4, S4C in Wales, C5 and Teletext in digital form through your aerial. Other channels will also be available either through Freeview or subscription based services.

The Green symbol means:

• If you currently have Freeview coverage, the channels will continue to be available throughout switchover, although you will need to retune your receiver at some point.
• If you are currently outside Freeview coverage, a range of channels will become available at switchover and continue to be available thereafter provided your aerial and receiving equipment is in good order.
• The overall symbols refer to the availability of BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, C4, S4C in Wales, C5 and Teletext in digital form through your aerial. Other channels will also be available.

Amber

These symbols refer to the availability of BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, C4, S4C in Wales, C5 and Teletext in digital form through your aerial. Other channels will also be available either through Freeview or subscription based services.

The Amber symbol means:

• If you currently have Freeview coverage, the channels will continue to be available throughout switchover, although the reliability of reception may reduce. The range of other channels available may also change, and you will need to retune your receiver at some point.
• If you are currently outside Freeview coverage, a range of channels will become available at switchover but the reliability of reception may be variable.

Red

These symbols refer to the availability of BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, C4, S4C in Wales, C5 and Teletext in digital form through your aerial. Other channels will also be available either through Freeview or subscription based services.

The Red symbol means either;

• There are no Freeview channels available at all, or;
• The Freeview channels are not strong enough to be received with a typical aerial system, or;
• The reliability of Freeview reception will be too variable for it to provide a satisfactory service

Aerial

You may need to upgrade your current aerial if you are to continue receiving these channels reliably, or at all. Seek advice from a qualified aerial installer.

How do I upgrade my aerial?

If you need to upgrade your aerial, look for a Registered Digital Installer (RDI) who carries the digital tick logo (it means they have been trained and security checked). If you can't find an RDI installer, look for a member of the CAI or an 'associate RDI' (who has also been security checked). Otherwise, look for an installer from an industry trade body, such as IDSC.

You should never agree to have work done by someone who calls without an appointment and doesn’t show identification.

Why is my end date different to my switchover date?

New high power Freeview transmissions are being introduced across the country over the course of the switchover period. The transmitter which provides you with your TV service will be switched from analogue to digital on one of these dates - this is your switchover date. However, changes at other transmitters may also affect how well you are able to receive television through an aerial. This means that you may find that your reception changes more than once during the UK switchover programme, even after the transmitter you receive your TV service from has switched.

Your end date is when your transmitter has switched and transmitters close to yours have also switched. This means your reception will no longer be affected by switchover.

For Trade only

How to interpret the Trade view of the Postcode Checker

The Trade view provides comprehensive details of television reception options for an address or postcode based on the nearest prediction point to the address or postcode centroid. The DTT predictions are those which are being used to plan the DTT network, and assume a representative receiving system in good condition. Predictions can vary significantly over a short distance due to the effects of terrain and interference, so they should be treated as a guide to the likely situation on the ground.

The checker does not include information about self-help transmitters.

Analogue Transmitters

Information relating to the analogue transmitters which could potentially be in use at the address are listed:

• The 'most likely' transmitter to be in use, derived from a complex algorithm. Note that this may not be the transmitter in use, and it is not always possible to identify a most likely transmitter.
• The distance to and bearing of the transmitter from the address
• The transmission channels, listed in the order BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, C4/S4C and C5.
• The analogue aerial group and polarisation

Digital Transmitters

Information relating to the digital transmitters which are, or are likely to be, receivable at the search address:

• The 'most likely' transmitter to be in use. This will be the same as the 'most likely' analogue transmitter, providing that transmitter provides coverage after switchover.
• The distance to and bearing of the transmitter from the address
• The published switchover date
• The digital aerial group and polarisation a) now b) after switchover

Prediction

The Prediction section details the transmission channels and a multiplex-by-multiplex coverage prediction for each transmitter that is predicted to provide a usable signal (i.e. a prediction of at least 50) on at least one multiplex at the address or postcode centroid at any time during the switchover process. The prediction is repeated for each step where coverage changes significantly.

Two predictions are provided:

1. where the signal meets the planning standard
2. where the signal may be subject to periodic interference, but may still be usable

The higher the prediction figure, the better the reception margin.

Example:

Mux 1, Mux 2, Mux B, Mux C and Mux D are flagged as green because they provide a good quality service with planning standard predictions in excess of the threshold of 70. The predictions at the periodic interference level are irrelevant in this situation, but will always be the same as, or higher than, the planning standard predictions.

Mux A is flagged as amber. This is because the coverage prediction of 57 at the planning standard does not meet the threshold of 70, and so the address is officially unserved by this multiplex. In this situation, the predictions at the periodic interference level become useful. Mux A has a coverage prediction of 99 at the periodic interference level which indicates that there is sufficient signal to receive the service, but it is likely to be subject to periodic interference. A decision can be made as to whether this reduced quality of service will be acceptable.

Other platforms

Information relating to the current availability of other digital television platforms in the postcode, as provided to Digital UK by the relevant platform provider. Note that in general, predictions of future coverage are not available. The limitations of cable and DSL network coverage means that availability to a specific address needs to be confirmed with the relevant platform provider.

Planning Standard

The prediction is made at the centre of a 100m x 100m tile. Based on the use of a representative antenna of the correct type and in good condition at 10m above ground level, the signal is predicted to be receivable without interference from co-channel transmissions for at least 99% of the time to the proportion of the tile indicated, measured in %. The UK planning standard is met where at least 70% of the tile is served in this way, i.e. for values between 70 and 100.

Periodic Interference

The prediction is made at the centre of a 100m x 100m tile. Based on the use of a representative antenna of the correct type and in good condition at 10m above ground level, the signal is predicted to be receivable without interference from co-channel transmissions for between 50% and 99% of the time to the proportion of the tile indicated, measured in %. While this does not meet the UK planning standard for service reliability, the level signal may be usable and the level of service acceptable to a consumer.

Channel

The radio frequency channel number currently allocated to this multiplex. Note that the digital spectrum plan is still being developed and both channel numbers and the way they are allocated to specific multiplexes are liable to change, particularly for regions which are later in the switchover programme.