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DigiTV and Council Tenants - The digital switchover


You may have seen the publicity surrounding the country’s first digital TV switchover, which took place in Whitehaven, Cumbria in October and November last year. During the next five years the rest of the UK will switchover to digital. You can see a map on the UK- Digital web site that details the areas of the country and the the dates when they will switchover.

In the local Meridian area it will take place by 2012. The switchover involves the old analogue signal being replaced with a digital signal, which will increase the number of channels available and make improvements to the strength of the signal.

What does this mean?
This means that by 2012 every TV will have to be connected to a digital box, or your TV will need to be upgraded to a new TV with an integral digital box inside. If you want to watch one programme while recording another, you will need a digital TV recorder.

Southampton City Council has a project underway to make sure that all necessary work is completed by 2012 so that all flats can receive digital TV. This will possibly mean replacing the existing cable system with a different system which will allow access to digital TV when the switchover takes place.

Digital UK and Government are working with the following consumer groups:

• The Consumer Expert Group
• R.N.I.B.
• Age Concern
• Help the aged
• Citizens advice bureau
• R.N.I.D.

Involving tenants
Since December 2007 information has been sent out via the Tenants Link magazine and other group meetings. These meetings are informing tenants of what the Council is doing in relation to upgrading the communal television system. The meetings also give information about the whole process. Some tenants may have had a block representative talk to them about these options or had a Council officer visit group meetings to explain this.

In addition, a working group has now been set up through the Tenant Federation. It consists of approximately 30 residents and Council officers who discuss the options available to the Council for upgrading the communal TV system. A letter will be sent out in September 2008 to all tenants explaining these options and requesting them to reply with their preferred option and any comments on the upgrade.

For more information on the national switchover please visit the official website of Digital UK Ltd. If you do buy new equipment always look for the digital TV logo.




Digitv logo

This logo certifies and helps you identify:

1. Identify products – IDTVs and digital boxes
2. Identify services – Freeview, Sky, cable, DSL
3. Identify where to buy and trained store staff
4. Identify aerial installers
5. Used in all Digital UK communications



Last updated: 19 August 2008

Southampton City Council, Civic Centre, Southampton, SO14 7LY - email gateway@southampton.gov.uk - tel 023 8022 3855 - minicom 023 8083 2798