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Digital television
The government wants to change the way that all households in the UK get their television signal. This means that all television services are going to be transferred to digital technology by 2012. This is the biggest change in broadcasting since colour television was introduced in 1967.
This change is often known as the ‘digital switchover’, because the new signals will be digital and will only work with digital equipment. Digital technology means that television signals can be transmitted more efficiently, freeing up space for extra channels and services.
The date that you will be affected depends on which ITV region you live in. If you live in Newcastle, you are covered by Tyne Tees television. The Tyne Tees region will start to change over to digital television in September 2012, so there is no panic to do anything immediately. If you want, you can get ready for the digital switchover now, or you can wait until nearer the time. For more information about what's happening in the Tyne Tees region, visit the Digital UK website.
Benefits of having digital television
Some of the benefits of having digital television are:
- you will be able to get more television channels than the traditional five (BBC One, BBC Two, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5);
- you will be able to interact with some programmes, for example you may be able to view sports matches from a different angle, buy goods, or take part in opinion polls;
- you can listen to digital radio stations through your television; and
- digital television offers more special services for people with hearing and visual impairments.
You will not need to pay a monthly subscription to get digital television.
How will it affect me?
If all of the televisions in your home are already digital, the change will not affect you. However, if you have a television that has not been changed to receive a digital signal, it will no longer work once your region has been switched over to only receive digital signals.
What do I need to do?
You will need to ensure that your television equipment can receive digital signals. These can be received in one of four ways: through an aerial, with a satellite dish, by cable, or through a telephone line. The option that you choose depends partly on where you live. For more information on this, visit the Digital UK website, or ask your local retailer or supplier.
If you already watch more than five channels, your television is probably digital already. If not, you will need to choose what to do with your television set.
You have two choices. You can:
- Simply convert your existing set. This is done by plugging a digital box (often called a 'set top box') into the back of your set.
- Take the opportunity to buy a new television set. You can buy or rent a television set with a digital box built inside it. This is often called an 'integrated digital TV' or 'iDTV', which will let you receive the free digital television services through an aerial.
Please note that the majority of people will not need to buy a new television set because most current sets can be adapted, as detailed in the first choice above.
Video recorders
You will still be able to use your current video recorder unless you want to record one programme while watching another. Then you will need to buy a digital television recorder. Ask your local retailer for more information.
Buying new equipment
If you need to buy any new equipment, make sure that it displays the government-backed digital logo. 
This has the word digital followed by a box with a pink tick in it, as shown here.
This logo means that the equipment will continue to work when the television signal is switched over to digital.
Switchover Help Scheme
Research has shown that people aged 75 years old and over watch more television per day than any other age group (approximately four hours per day). However, the current take-up of digital television for this age group is well below the rest of the population. Also, research has shown that people aged over 75 years old are more likely to have difficulties in installing the digital television equipment.
The Switchover Help Scheme should help with this. It will be funded by the BBC, through the licence fee, and will provide practical assistance, support and advice for all people:
- who are aged 75 years old or over; or
- who get, or could get, Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance, Mobility Supplement or Disability Living Allowance; or
- who have lived in a care home for more than six months; or
- who are registered blind or partially sighted.
The scheme will provide practical support to help people select, install and use digital television equipment. Where necessary, this may include the provision of a set top aerial or a rooftop aerial upgrade.
For more information, visit the Switchover Help Scheme website.
Other useful organisations and information
The Newcastle Trades Register has been set up to help people aged over 60 years old in Newcastle to find tradespeople to carry out repairs and maintenance in their homes, including qualified engineers who can help with your digital television changeover needs. To find out more, see our section on Finding reliable tradespeople, or contact the Newcastle Trades Register service using the details given below.
Digital UK is an independent, non-profit organisation that has been set up to provide impartial information on what people need to do to prepare for the digital switchover, and when they need to do it. If you require any further information, contact Digital UK on their general telephone number which is given below, or visit their website.
Ricability is an independent consumer research organisation, which is dedicated to providing independent information of value to disabled and older consumers. The Department for Trade and Industry has commissioned them to produce independent consumer test reports on digital television products. To find out more, contact them using the details given below, or visit their website.
For more information, you can also read Age UK’s information sheet Digital Switchover.
If you are visually impaired, the Royal National Institute of the Blind (RNIB) website has a section on Digital TV switchover, which explains what digital television is and how to get it, and reviews some services and products of particular interest to people with sight problems.
Contact Information
Digital UK
Telephone : 08456 505 050.
Newcastle Trades Register
Mears Home Improvements Ltd, Hawks Road, Gateshead, NE8 3BL.
Telephone : 0800 111 4418.
Ricability (Research Institute for Consumer Affairs)
30 Angel Gate, City Road, London, EC1V 2PT.
Telephone : 020 7427 2460, Fax : 020 7427 2468.
Email : mail@ricability.org.uk
The Switchover Help Scheme (Digital TV)
Freepost,, Switchover Help Scheme.
Telephone : 0800 40 85 900 Freephone, Fax : 0800 40 86 045.
Email : info@helpscheme.co.uk
Article last updated February 1, 2012 10:13 am
