Switchover News May 2008

Posted on 8th May at 03:00 PM, Posted by: Digital UK

FREESAT BRINGS FREE-TO-AIR DIGITAL SATELLITE TV FOR ALL

Freesat, the subscription-free digital satellite television service from the BBC and ITV, launched on May 6. Initially offering over 80 TV and radio channels, including high-definition programming, the service is expected to provide more than 200 channels by the end of the year. BBC HD will available from day one, while ITV HD will follow later this year. Freesat receivers start from £49, with high-definition models available from around £120. Installation (including a satellite dish) costs from around £80. More on Freesat

REPORT REVEALS LESSONS FOR UK SWITCHOVER

Digital UK has published a report on the UK’s first digital television switchover, highlighting lessons to be applied across the rest of the country as analogue signals are turned off over the next four years. Based on research into the experiences of 25,000 households in Copeland, Cumbria, including the town of Whitehaven, it found that the majority of viewers were well prepared, most found the process straightforward and approximately 10% of households took up the Switchover Help Scheme. For the full report.

CAPTIONS SIGNAL END OF ANALOGUE TV IN SELKIRK

Captions reminding viewers to get ready for digital switchover will appear on televisions in the Scottish Borders for the first time from May 6, 2008. Homes served by the Selkirk transmitter group still watching analogue services in the Border TV region will see the on-screen messages six months before these signals are switched off and replaced with Freeview channels. The captions, lasting one minute, will appear on BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five during programmes over a two-week period.

CAMPAIGN MAKES SWITCHOVER SIMPLE FOR SHOPPERS

Digital UK is supporting a new consumer campaign designed to help shoppers identify digital TV equipment that’s easy to set up and tune in. The Easy to Install recommended mark will be awarded to products that achieve the highest scores against criteria measured by independent testing body Ricability. The scheme follows research that found many people are not confident setting up new kit.

Digital UK will also promote a new ‘Digital Scoreboard’, an extension of the familiar ‘digital tick’ logo. This voluntary scheme, which manufacturers will use to label digital TV equipment packaging and TV screens, identifies key features in a product, including power consumption in standby mode. More from Digital UK

SPECIALIST SWITCHOVER TEAM TO SUPPORT RETAILERS

Television retailers are to be supported through digital switchover by a team of specialist staff trained by Digital UK. The Retail Support Team, set up in partnership with field marketing agency Gekko, will assist stores in the lead switchover regions of Border, West Country and Wales. They will visit TV retailers in each region, starting one year before switchover.