DIGITAL SWITCHOVER IN NORTH WALES

It is only around 100 days to go before digital TV switchover starts in north Wales:

· The Llanddona transmitter group with its 22 relays, serving c.95,000 homes in North west Wales switches in two stages on 21 October and 18 November 2009

· The Moel Y Parc transmitter group with its 20 relays, serving c.179,000 homes in north east Wales switches in two stages on 28 October and 25 November 2009

· The Long Mountain transmitter group with its 14 relays, serving c.24,000 homes in parts of east and central Wales switches in two stages on 4 November and 3 December 2009

Our latest research indicates good levels of awareness about the forthcoming change to terrestrial TV services and that the majority of viewers are well prepared:

· Nine out of ten households in the North Wales area (90%) have already connected their main set to digital TV.

· Seven out of ten people in the North Wales area (71%) know precisely what to do for switchover against 70% in the nations/regions yet to switch.


All households will shortly be sent a 20-page guide to switchover, which explains their options for going digital, what happens during switchover and the need to retune. On-screen captions on analogue channels will resume shortly telling viewers to get ready. These will be backed up by TV, press and radio advertising, reminding viewers of the date and their options for going digital.


The Switchover Help Scheme (helpscheme.co.uk) has sent out information packs to all eligible older and disabled people in the last few months. People must respond to the Help Scheme to get help - if they do not reply, they will be contacted twice more before switchover. The Help Scheme will be reaching out to the wider community to encourage people to tell older and disabled relatives, friends and neighbours about the help they can receive to convert one TV set to digital.


Our lead charity covering the Llanddona transmitter group area is Care and Repair Gwynedd, which is co-ordinating charity and volunteer organisation activity, including joint training with the Help Scheme. Age Concern North East Wales is the lead charity for the Moel Y Parc transmitter group area and PAVO (Powys Association of Voluntary Organisations) is the lead charity for the Long Mountain transmitter group area. Charities will be encouraged to carry out presentations, events and one-to-ones, continuing until a month after switchover. A small grants programme is made available to assist with this.


Emyr Byron Hughes

National Manager Wales, Digital UK

c/a: S4C l Parc Ty Glas l Llanisien/Llanishen l
Caerdydd/Cardiff l CF14 5DU

e: wales@digitaluk.co.uk

g/w: www.digitaluk.co.uk