Digital Switchover Begins In Wales

The digital switchover will begin in Wales at midnight.
The Kilvey Hill analogue transmitter, which provides the TV signals for Swansea and Neath Port Talbot areas, will be switched off at midnight tonight.
The switchoff means that viewers in those areas who do not have digital televisions will no longer be able to watch BBC Two from Wednesday and will then lose all channels over the next month. The analogue channels will be replaced with Freeview digital channels.
The Preseli transmitter, which covers south west Wales, will be the next to be switched off - on August 19 - followed by the Carmel transmitter, which covers parts of south and central wales, on August 26.
Other transmitters in other parts of Wales will then be switched off throughout the rest of the year and early 2010.
Acording to Digital UK, 90% of homes in Wales already have digital TV. Their figures also suggest that 95% of people in south Wales are aware of the switchover and more than three-quarters (76%) know what they need to do to prepare for it.
The Switchover Help Scheme is available to provide help for older or disabled people to make the switch.
(KMcA/BMcC)