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Wales switchover complete

admin — Wed, 10 Mar 2010 20:24:45 +0000

10th March 2010 – all analogue TV channels in west and central Wales were switched off permanently today, meaning an all-digital era for more than 26,000 viewers.
Analogue BBC One, ITV1, S4C and Five were turned off permanently shortly after midnight at the Blaenplywf transmitter group, enabling extra channels to be broadcast from twelve local relay transmitters serving thousands of homes.
The changes also affect existing Freeview viewers who may find some of their channels missing this morning. The services have moved to new frequencies and can be restored by retuning Freeview TVs and boxes.
Emyr Byron Hughes, Digital UK’s National Manager in Wales, said: “This is an historic day for TV in west and central Wales as we say goodbye to the old analogue system forever. Viewers have
responded extremely well and many are enjoying the benefits of digital TV for the first time.
“As with any change on this scale, some people may need a bit of extra help so we and the Help Scheme are on hand to give advice and assistance to those who may need it.”

Final Wales switchover underway

admin — Wed, 03 Mar 2010 16:50:34 +0000

3rd March 2010 – all Freeview viewers in Newport, Cardiff and south east Wales will need to retune their Freeview TVs and boxes today, as the final digital switchover in Wales gets underway.
Forty-six years after BBC Two was launched, the channel’s last remaining analogue signal in Wales was turned off permanently at the Wenvoe transmitter, and engineers started switching on digital signals at 75 relay transmitters serving more than 280,000 homes. These households will be able to receive Freeview for the first time today.
The changes will also affect existing Freeview viewers who will probably find their BBC TV channels are missing. These services have moved to new frequencies and can easily be restored by retuning Freeview TVs and boxes. Viewers in areas where more than one regional service is available can get advice on choosing their preferred channels from Digital UK.
The second and final stage of switchover at the Wenvoe transmitter group takes place on 31 March, when the remaining analogue channels will be switched off permanently. On this date, further
Freeview channels from ITV, S4C, Channel 4 and Five will also become available from relay transmitters for the first time. At this point, Wales will have completed the digital switchover process
to become the UK’s first digital nation, making Cardiff the first digital capital.

D-Day for west and central Wales

admin — Wed, 10 Feb 2010 16:39:34 +0000

10th February 2010 is D-Day for thousands of TV viewers in west and central Wales as the digital switchover is implemented.
Analogue BBC Two was turned off permanently Shortly after midnight and engineers started switching on Freeview signals at twelve relay transmitters serving more than 8,000 homes.
Viewers in these areas will be able to receive Freeview digital channels for the first time from today.
The changes also affect existing Freeview viewers whose BBC channels have moved to new frequencies. Any missing channels can be restored by retuning Freeview boxes and TVs.
The second and final stage of switchover at the Blaenplwyf transmitter group will take place on 10 March, when the remaining analogue channels will be switched off permanently. On this date,
further Freeview channels from ITV, S4C, Channel 4 and Five will also become available from relay transmitters for the first time.

Countdown begins to end of analogue TV in the Channel Islands

admin — Wed, 13 Jan 2010 15:31:11 +0000

It was announced today that the digital switchover in the Channel Islands will be completed on Wednesday 17th November 2010 when the four current analogue TV channels will be switched off permanently. This will allow the 50,000 households served by the Fremont Point transmitter group to receive around 15 Freeview digital channels for the first time.
Bill Taylor, Digital UK’s South West Regional Manager, said: “Today’s announcement paves the
way for the biggest change in broadcasting in the Channel Islands since the introduction of colour.
“We are preparing for the end of the analogue TV era and the dawn of a fully digital age, in which
everyone can enjoy extra choice and easier recording. Digital UK and the Switchover Help Scheme
will ensure that people know about this important change and that advice and practical support is
available for those who need it.”

Switchover Latest

admin — Sun, 10 Jan 2010 17:37:46 +0000

Make sure you don’t get caught out by the digital switchover.
Wales TV area started switching on 9th August. Three transmitter groups have switched from analogue to digital and the other five transmitter groups are in the process of switching.

The final stage of digital TV switchover in north east Wales completed on 25th November, extending digital terrestrial television (Freeview) coverage to all households served by the Moel y Parc transmitter group. All terrestrial TV signals were turned off shortly after midnight and a team of engineers worked through the night on the switch to all-digital TV services. Analogue services will remain switched off permanently, allowing new Freeview channels to be broadcast from 22 local relay transmitters serving areas such as Penmaen Rhos and Llangollen for the first time.

The Granada TV region switchover started on 4th November when BBC2 was switched off.
The rest of the analogue channels – BBC One, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five – will be permanently switched off on 2nd December. At the same time the Freeview signals will be boosted allowing around 500,000 more viewers access to the Freeview platform.