Digital UK Unveils Next Stage Of Switchover
Digital UK has announced more details of the timetable for digital switchover, with Granada, the second largest region after London, to switch off in the final quarter of 2009.
Digital UK recently signed up Wallace and Gromit creators Aardman for an autumn campaign to drive awareness of the UK’s switch to digital television (see Wallace And Gromit Creators Signed For Digital Awareness Campaign).
The first region to switch over will be the border region, encompassing the Scottish borders as well as Cumbria and the Isle of Man.
Under a trial project, the first town to switch over will be the Cumbrian town of the Whitehaven in October next year.
In the West Country, Beacon Hill, serving south Devon, will be switched off, along with Stockland Hill, which serves south-west Somerset and parts of west and south-east Devon, will be switched in the second quarter of 2009.
In the third quarter, Huntshaw Cross, serving north Devon; the Redruth mast, serving west Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly; and the Caradon Hill transmitter, which covers Plymouth, will convert to digital.
Wales is to follow on from the West Country switchover, with the south-west and south of the country turning digital in the third quarter of 2009, and Anglesey and the north-east of the country switching in the fourth quarter of that year. The rest of Wales will switchover from the start of 2010.
Ford Ennals, chief executive of Digital UK, said: “Today’s announcement of the timetable for transmitter switchover in the Westcountry, Wales and Granada TV regions is another milestone on the UK’s path to digital TV.
“We first announced the regional timetable, then the transmitter timetable. Nearer the time, we will announce the month and day of switchover. We intend to share information with the public as soon as possible, and to provide public information and practical assistance to the public throughout the process.”
Ford Ennals discussing the digital switchover at MediaTel Group’s ‘Future Of TV’ seminar said that the it will be fundamental to the landscape of how and what people watch on television in the next few years (see Digital Switchover Will Be Fundamental To TV Landscape).
At the start of the month, research from Ofcom revealed that digital television has reached over 70% of households in the UK (see Digital TV In 70% Of Homes).
Digital UK: www.digitaluk.co.uk