NOW DIGITAL TV IS COMING WE MUST SORT OUT LOCAL PROBLEMS
October 30, 2008 7:00 AM
In North Devon Journal
In North Devon Journal
On Tuesday Digital UK met South West MPs at the Commons to discuss the region's switchover to digital TV next summer.
For many households this will bring a much better picture and many more channels, but for others the outcomes are less certain.
We've always had pockets of poor reception along our northern coastline, and until switchover actually happens no one knows for sure how each area will fare. But Digital UK are very up-beat.
The digital TV signal will become much more powerful after the old analogue transmitter is switched off at Huntshaw Cross. So reception quality and coverage should improve significantly, but there will still be some blind spots, particularly in the deep combes along our north coast.
For such households FreeSat may be the best option, or can wait until the Welsh transmitter switches over in autumn 2009 or the Mendip transmitter in 2010/11. As yet, Digital UK have not released detailed timings for these other ITV regions.
I voiced a strong concern that there will be a two-tier service on offer after switchover. People receiving a direct signal from Huntshaw Cross (or any other "main transmitter") will receive over 40 channels. But those needing a "relay" will be limited to roughly 16-20 public service channels, mainly run by BBC and ITV. (Purely commercial stations say it's unviable to extend their coverage to local relays.)
This could affect up to 26% of the audience in the South West, so I am pressing for a change of heart as this is such a high proportion of households - the second highest of any ITV region.
People 75 and over by 1 July 2009, those receiving disability allowances, the registered blind or partially-sighted, or people who have been in residential care homes for more than six months, will be entitled to subsidised equipment under the "Help Scheme".
Those eligible will receive an application form later this year. If you want to take part don't buy a new aerial or set-top box beforehand: you will not be able to reclaim their cost later!
Digital UK faces a hugely challenging task, and must explain their plans clearly for each community, particularly in North Devon where the landscape causes so many complications, and where the coming "digital revolution" has been the excuse for not resolving previous complaints about poor reception.
If you might lose out, please let me know and I will take up your individual case with Digital UK.
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