UK Digital TV Switchover Explained

 

By 2012, the UK Government is set to switch off the analogue TV service. What does this mean?

 

'Analogue' is how the UK has received television since the 1930's, and the 21st century has brought with it Digital TV - Offering more channels, and more choice.

 

The changeover to digital TV doesn't mean that you have to throw away your current TV, or upgrade to High Definition - it simply means that by the time that analogue telly is switched off in your TV region, you need to have a digital TV receiver. If you've bought a new TV recently, you may find it has a built-in Freeview receiver, otherwise, you'll need to get a Digital TV set-top box.

 

Your options for digital TV are:

 

• Freeview - Digital TV via a TV aerial and a digital receiver. No subscription. More
• Satellite TV - Sky offers the widest choice, or there's a free-to-view satellite service
• Cable TV - If your house is in a Virgin Media area, you can get TV and Internet on subscription. More on Virgin Media
• Phone line - In certain parts of the UK, you can get TV down a phone line with a special set-top box from TalkTalk TV

 

 

What you need to do: As well as getting your main TV set ready for the digital switchover - don't forget about other TV sets in the house. Also, give some thought to how you'll record TV. Is your video or DVD recorder able to record digital TV? See our checklist

 

 

This site offers more information on the options available to you, and what you need to do before the analogue switch-off. If you have a question, try our Digital Switch Questions page.