Cumbria's analogue TV signal to be turned off by next July

By Meg Jorsh

Last updated 13:25, Wednesday, 01 October 2008

Cumbria's analogue TV signal will be switched off in July 2009, it was announced yesterday.

Viewers will need to switch over to digital TV before the signal is turned off on July 22. BBC Two will be turned off a month earlier, on June 24, as a final reminder to make the change.

About 80 per cent of the county already has a digital or satellite service at home, but Freeview signals only reach half of homes. The switchover will mean everyone has free access to at least 20 channels.

John Askew, regional manager for Digital UK, said: “The first thing to say is that a lot of people in Cumbria are already prepared. If you’ve got Freeview or satellite TV then you don’t have to worry about it.

“But people with satellite TV in the living room often have analogue in the rest of the house, so you will need to convert those TVs.”

Last year Whitehaven became the first place in Britain to lose its analogue signal, with the rest of the country soon to follow suite. The switch will produce sharper pictures and free up airwaves for faster broadband and mobile television.

Help will be available to elderly and vulnerable people concerned about making the change. He added: “It’s not about providing financial help first and foremost – it’s more about the practicalities. The service offers to come along and fit the equipment, make it work, show the viewer how to use it and come back if they forget.”

The service will be available to anybody aged 75 or over, or eligible to claim disabled benefit, at a cost of £40. Those eligible will be sent information packs in the new year.

Six months before the switch, analogue television sets will start showing on-screen captions reminding viewers to get ready.

For more information, call Digital UK on 0845 650 5050, or www.digitaluk.co.uk