Switchover News April 2008

Posted on 8th April at 10:26 AM, Posted by: Digital UK

WEST COUNTRY SWITCHOVER SET FOR NEXT SPRING

Digital UK has announced that the West Country TV region will start the switchover to digital terrestrial television on April 8, 2009. The date for digital ‘take off’ was revealed by Bill Taylor, Digital UK’s Regional Manager for the South West, during an event at Exeter International Airport exactly a year before the switch. Analogue broadcasts will be turned off first at the Beacon Hill transmitter group, followed by the Stockland Hill transmitter group on May 6, 2009. The Huntshaw Cross, Redruth and Caradon Hill transmitter groups will follow between July and September 2009 to complete switchover in the region.

MORE THAN 22 MILLION HOMES NOW ENJOY DIGITAL TV

New research reveals 22.2 million households across the UK have already embraced digital television. Ofcom’s Digital Progress Report for Q4 2007 indicates nine out of ten (87.6%) households now receive multi-channel services on their main set. Sales of Freeview equipment were at their strongest ever during the period, accounting for almost half (49%) of the growth in the digital TV market during October to December. Integrated Digital TVs (IDTVs) accounted for most of the units sold, up 132% on the same period in 2006.

NEW CALDBECK GIANT SERVES ENGLISH AND SCOTTISH VIEWERS

The new television transmitter mast being built at Caldbeck in Cumbria has now reached its full height – at 337 metres it’s the third tallest structure in the UK, topped only by the Belmont television transmitter in Lincolnshire and the Skelton Radio mast near Penrith. The new mast is taller even than the Eiffel Tower and is needed to carry additional aerials because after switchover it will broadcast separate services for both England and Scotland. The new mast will come into service in time for switchover, which will happen between April and June 2009.

OFCOM ANNOUNCES PLAN FOR FREEVIEW HD SERVICES

High-definition Freeview channels will arrive next year, according to Ofcom. Following a consultation in November 2007, the communications regulator has initiated a major upgrade programme that will introduce the latest technologies to the digital terrestrial network to create up to four new HD services. The plan is to deliver HD services with switchover in the Granada TV region in 2009. Viewers will need an HD receiver to view the new channels.

Initially, three HD channel slots will be available with one reserved for the BBC. The others will be awarded to the commercial public service broadcasters (ITV, Channel 4, Five, S4C) via a competitive bidding process. Applications for each slot will be judged on efficient use of spectrum; contribution to public service broadcasting and range and diversity of television services.

PUBLIC ACCOUNTS COMMITTEE REVIEWS SWITCHOVER

The Public Accounts Committee has taken evidence from senior officials on preparations for digital switchover. Evidence was given by Jonathan Stephens, Accounting Officer and Permanent Secretary to the Department for Culture, Media and Sport, Sir Brian Bender KCB, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform, and Peter White, Chief Executive Officer of the Digital Switchover Help Scheme. Following the hearing, the PAC is set to produce its own report to which the Government will respond.