Wiltshire digital switchover announced (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Wiltshire digital switchover announced

9:32am Saturday 12th July 2008 in Wiltshire By Gazette Reporter

The timing for the start of switchover to digital television in parts of Wiltshire has been announced today by Digital UK, the independent body leading the process.

Switchover is the process of converting the UK's terrestrial television system to digital. Between now and 2012, analogue broadcasts will be switched off region by region and replaced with free-to-air digital TV and radio services (Freeview). The West TV region includes all of Bristol, parts of Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and the Cheltenham and Gloucester area.

The West TV region switchover will take place in 2010, apart from Cheltenham and Gloucester which will switch in 2011:

• Jan-Mar 2010 Bristol Ilchester Crescent, serving parts of Bristol
• Jan-Mar 2010 Bristol Kings Weston, serving parts of Bristol
• Apr-Jun 2010 Mendip transmitter group, serving parts of Somerset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire and Bristol
• Jan-Mar 2011 Ridge Hill West, serving the Cheltenham and Gloucester area After switchover, Freeview channels will be available via an aerial across the West TV region.

As part of Digital UK's national information campaign, leaflets explaining switchover and the options available for going digital will be delivered to every home in the West TV region next year. Letters will be also sent to every household eligible for help from the Switchover Help Scheme, which offers assistance and equipment to convert one television for those aged 75 or over, registered blind or partially sighted, or on certain disability benefits.

Viewers can check whether they are able to receive a digital signal already by visiting Digital UK's website www.digitaluk.co.uk and entering their postcode. This gives details of what services they can receive before, during and after switchover. The Digital UK helpline can also be contacted on 0845 6 50 50 50.