Digital Switchover

Starting in 2008 and ending in 2012 all TV services throughout the UK will switch from an analogue signal to full Digital Services. It will be phased in throughout each ITV region.

This means that any TV set or video recorder that isn’t converted to Digital when the “switch off” takes place will no longer receive TV programmes. In turn, this means is that all television programmes will be transmitted and received digitally and not through the old analogue network. This change will be made via a digital UK satellite dish and not through an ordinary satellite aerial.

There are a number of benefits for the Digital viewer and currently, Sky digital provides one of the best services in the country and has the highest number of digital satellite TV users and subscribers throughout the UK.

Viewers will be able to access to a range of new free channels offering up to 32 Digital TV channels above and beyond the ordinary analogue channels of BBC1, BBC2, ITV1, Channel 4 and 5.

Furthermore, viewers of Digital TV will benefit from enhanced picture quality which is not affected by interference. Additionally, sound quality via Digital broadcasting is improved providing a purer sound.

The new Digital environment permits the viewer to engage and interact with the TV by using the “red” button on screen.

This interactively provides access to numerous on screen extras such as extended coverage, replays, multi-screen formats and match statistics.

Access to Digital radio provides an extensive range of radio stations which are available with exceptionally high quality sound.

Digital viewers also benefit from an electronic programme guide rendering the newspapers listings a thing of the past. This application means that the viewer can check all the TV listings, manage channel selection and programme recording via your remote control.