The Isle of Wight Digital TV Switchover is well underway. Switchover was due to begin in the early hours (7th March) when analogue signals were being turned off at the Rowridge transmitter. The process will be complete on 21st March, when the remaining analogue channels will be switched off.
The biggest change to television in a generation began today, as analogue signals were turned off and digital TV boosted to reach all areas. The Rowridge transmitter has switched to digital which means people with analogue TVs have lost the channel.
Those with digital equipment will have to re-tune their boxes. A message will appear on the screen explaining how to receive the new digital channels. UPDATE: for more details read: Help To Fine Tune Your Digital Switchover Experience.
The Rowridge transmitter and its 27 relays (known as a transmitter group) switch to digital in two stages. If you have Sky TV, Freesat from Sky or freesat on all of your TV sets you will not be affected by switchover.
All households on the Island with a Freeview TV or BT Vision or Top Up TV will need to re-tune at both stages of switchover (7th & 21st March) and from time to time to keep receiving channels and services.
Digital UK, the body leading switchover, continues to provide support through local advice points, as well as its website and advice line. Switchover road shows and advice points are also running today.
Information events will be taking place in Newport, St Thomas Square, 7th – 8th March 2012 9am-5pm and St Thomas Square, 21st – 22nd March 2012 9am-5pm.
For those already on the Switchover Help Scheme problems can be reported on 0800 40859000.
For more information call 08456 505050 or visit www.digitaluk.co.uk/meridianevents.
Homes already watching Freeview will need to retune their TVs and boxes in order to retain their BBC services.
If you are watching the Rowridge transmitter group using Freeview, Top Up TV or BT Vision, you will need to re-tune your equipment on the date below to ensure that you continue to receive all available Freeview channels.
18 April 2012
This re-tune is necessary as part of the technical changes for the digital switchover.
Island Pulse have been backing the BBC-run Switchover Help Scheme’s campaign (read more) to make sure every eligible older and disabled person on the Isle of Wight knows about the help they can get to keep their TV working when switchover starts on the 7th March 2012.
For more information visit www.digitaluk.co.uk/home website link.
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