Freeview Channels

Why switchover?

What are the benefits of switching to digital television?

Switchover is fairer. The Government believes that people should have a choice of options for getting digital television. Switchover brings digital terrestrial TV to nearly all households for the first time increasing the choice of affordable digital TV options. Only by switching off analogue signals will digital terrestrial TV be able to reach the same proportion of households (98.5%) as can currently receive analogue signals.

 

Switchover will upgrade the transmission network. Switchover will upgrade the transmission network to the best available technology and ends the costs of broadcasting the same content on analogue and digital.

 

Digital TV is more efficient. Digital TV can carry many more TV services in the spectrum previously occupied by one analogue service. Switching off the analogue services also frees up spectrum that can be used for a range of new services, such as extra TV channels in either standard or high definition, mobile TV and wireless broadband.

 

Switchover will ensure the UK keeps pace internationally. Switching the terrestrial TV system to digital will ensure the UK keeps pace with other countries. Most European states will have completed switchover by 2012.

Leading switchover

The Digital Switchover Programme

The Digital Switchover Programme has been formed to co-ordinate the efforts of multiple parties towards the common goal of switchover. At its core the programme involves DCMS, the Department for Business, Enterprise & Regulatory Reform (BERR), Ofcom, Digital UK and the BBC, but there is considerable liaison at all levels with the many other parties involved.

 

The Government is responsible for the policy of digital switchover and, in September 2005 announced the 2008-12 timetable and the establishment of a Help Scheme for those who may need practical assistance with switchover. This policy decision was informed by work carried out under the Digital Television Project.

 

Digital UK is an independent not-for-profit organisation established by the public sector broadcasters and multiplex operators to lead the implementation of switchover. This involves co-ordinating the technical rollout of a high-power digital terrestrial television network; communicating with the public about digital switchover to ensure everyone knows what is happening, what they need to do and when; and liaising with stakeholders to ensure understanding of and support for the switchover programme.

 

Ofcom is the independent regulator and competition authority for the communications industry with an overall statutory duty to further the interests of citizens and consumers in communication matters. Ofcom is responsible for ensuring: competition between digital platforms; the optimal use of the radio spectrum; and that broadcasters and others comply with their licence obligations, in areas such as transmission coverage and reception.

 

The BBC will manage delivery of the Help Scheme and, through the licence fee, provide £200 million to fund Digital UK’s public communications campaign and £600 million to fund the Help Scheme.

 

In addition, the other public service broadcasters, digital platform operators, TV equipment manufacturers, transmission site owners, transmission providers, retailers, aerial installers, charities and consumer groups are all actively involved in preparations for switchover.

 

The switchover programme enables these parties to work together to deliver switchover as set out in the updated programme structure document.

Policy development

Digital Television Project

From 2001-05, industry and Government worked together on Digital Switchover through the Digital Television Project. This resulted in the development of a detailed Digital Television Action Plan setting out the various tasks that had to be completed to enable the Government to make decisions on the timescale for switchover and the strategy going forward. The last version of the Digital Television Action Plan was published in October 2004. The report of the Digital Television Project was published in March 2005.

 

As part of the Digital Television Project:

 

industry and Government completed two technical trials to give the Government a better idea of the practical and social issues consumers face when switching from analogue to digital television services. These were in 2003, Go Digital and in 2004-5 the Digital Switchover Technical trial.

Government carried out an analysis of the costs and benefits of switchove, with an updated version published in February 2005

Government identified those groups that are likely to have the most difficulty during digital switchover and developed the Help Scheme

Government developed the ‘digital tick’ logo as a certification mark to help consumers through switchover

in conjunction with the Sector Skills Council and the aerial industry, the Government worked to establish a professional qualification for aerial installers to help consumers identify competent and trustworthy installers. More information can be found on the Registered Digital Installer – Licensing Body website.

 

In September 2005, the Government published a Regulatory Impact Assessment and confirmed that switchover would take place between 2008 and 2012.

Digital TV equipment

Digital TV equipment for the consumer

Help is available in choosing digital TV equipment and services:

 

Annual Review of the Digital Switchover Certification Mark

BERR is now consulting on proposed changes to the requirements for the Digital Switchover Certification Mark

 

How do I make the switch?

Digital UK provides advice on making the switch to digital TV through its website – or call 0845 6 50 50 50

 

Ricability

An independent consumer research organisation with detailed advice on which digital boxes, televisions and set-top aerials to buy

 

‘Digital tick’ logo

Certifies goods and services that are designed to work through switchover. The logo is owned by the Secretary for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (formerly Trade and Industry), with Digital UK licensed to administer and coordinate key aspects.

 

Registered Digital Installers

A trusted source of help and advice on aerial installation during digital switchover (and accredited by the ‘digital tick’ logo)

 

‘Energy Saving Recommended’ logo

Recommends energy-efficient digital TVs and energy-efficient set-top boxes.

 

In addition, the Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (BERR) (formerly DTI) is taking forward an action plan to encourage the development and availability in the UK market place of a wide range of digital TV receivers incorporating agreed “best practice” features in preparation for switchover:

Help scheme

The Digital Switchover Help Scheme is designed to provide practical help for those people who we expect to have the most difficulty in making the switch to digital TV.

 

Further details of the Scheme are available on the Switchover Help Scheme website.

 

Details of the Help Scheme are set out in a Scheme Agreement concluded by DCMS and the BBC. The Scheme will be funded through the TV Licence fee and estimated costs are around £603 million.

 

The BBC is responsible for delivering the Scheme although day to day operation has been contracted out to eaga plc. DSHS Ltd (a BBC subsidiary) will ensure that the contractor delivers the scheme as set out in the Scheme Agreement. More details can be found in the BBC press release online.

 

The scope of the Help Scheme is based on Government research that indicates that the eligible groups are the least likely to have digital TV and the most likely to struggle with adopting it. Some 7 million homes are expected to qualify for help, although not all will choose to take it up.

 

The Digital Switchover (Disclosure of Information) Act enables the Help Scheme to identify people who are eligible and write to them directly inviting them to apply for help.

 

Further information:

 

Who is eligible?

 

Switchover and the public sector

Digital Switchover in the Public Sector

The public sector will need to take steps to ensure that any televisions it is responsible for have been adapted/upgraded before digital switchover happens, if the intention is to continue to use these systems to receive television broadcasts. Video recorders will also need to have been adapted/upgraded if the intention is to use them after switchover to record one programme while watching another. Some aerial systems, particularly communal aerial systems used to provide television signals to a number of different locations, will need some work.

 

Possible uses of televisions within the public sector are:

 

On public estates (including government buildings and barracks for soldiers),

 

Organisations responsible for television systems (including aerials) in the public sector must plan ahead for switchover, to ensure that resources are available, to make the most effective procurement decisions, and to ensure that there is no loss of services at switchover in each region.

 

Digital television brings new opportunities through the possibility of access to improved and new services. Different platforms for receiving digital television offer different options, for example interactivity. Organisations should consider these options carefully before making decisions about the best digital TV platform for their needs. Organisations should also consider the environmental impact of the different options, e.g. energy use and waste disposal, when making decisions about how to adapt/upgrade television systems.

 

The Government is currently updating and extending it’s mandatory ‘Quick Wins’ sustainable procurement standards to include energy efficiency specifications for digital TV equipment such as set-top boxes and integrated digital TVs (IDTVs). The Government’s proposed procurement standards for set-top boxes (terrestrial digital adapters) are below 7 Watts while the product is ‘on’ and below 2.8 Watts while in stand-by mode. Further information and support on the ‘Quick Wins’ standards is available from the Government’s Market Transformation Programme. Where a television is being replaced, look for an integrated digital TV set (i.e. one with a digital box built in) endorsed by the Energy Saving Trust as meeting strict energy efficiency criteria, more information about Qualifying TVs is available on the Energy Saving Trust website.

The following resources will help you to make decisions about converting to digital:

 

Online Property Managers Guide

This provides property managers, especially those with responsibility for communal aerial systems, with the information they need to prepare for digital switchover.

This document includes key information about digital television and digital switchover.

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Our list of the channels available on Freeview. The list includes the channel name, channel type and the multiplex that the channel is broadcast on.

 

Freeview’s channel line-up

 

 

                                                                         Freeview’s channel line-up

 

Data / Text Services

 

Radio Stations

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Chapeltown Aerials Ltd supplies and Installs Freeview Aerials in Chapeltown, Ecclesfield, Rotherham, Barnsley, Burncross, Hillsborough, Stocksbridge, Deep Carr, Sheffield and South Yorkshire,

 

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