Ennals warns 100 days before first switch

[BGonaSTICK]

With 100 days to go before the UK's first switchover, Digital UK CEO Ford Ennals has warned residents in Whitehaven and the surrounding Copeland area not to leave it too late to switch to digital television. Latest research for the switchover coordination body shows all 25,000 households in the area intend to switch, but 26% of respondents said they would convert to digital TV on October 17, when analogue signals begin to be switched off, with a further 8% saying they would convert after switchover.

"It's good news that everyone we spoke to said they were intending to convert to digital," said Ennals. "However, we also found that over a third (34%) of households yet to convert are planning to convert 'at and around switchover', which increases the risk of problems and a further third have still to decide. Too many people converting late would put a strain on suppliers of equipment, installers and other sources of support.

"To avoid the risk of being left with a temporary blank screen, I'd urge people to make preparations in good time before analogue signals are turned off. The first digital signals are available from next month when Five begins broadcasting in the area, so there's no need to wait. If too many people leave it to the last minute, they may be disappointed and simply not be able to get their TVs converted in time."

Research for Digital UK and Ofcom's switchover tracker in the first and second quarters of 2007 found that 96% of Whitehaven respondents were aware of switchover, and 76% of households had already converted.

The analogue BBC Two signal will be switched off on October 17. The initial group of Freeview digital channels will then be broadcast in the area for the first time. Four weeks later, on November 14, the remaining analogue channels will cease transmission and the full line up of 20 free-to-air digital channels will become available.

Later this month every Whitehaven household will receive a 20-page guide called 'It's time to switch' and on-screen reminder captions will be broadcast on analogue channels. Digital UK said the switchover help scheme, providing targeted help for the over-75s and those with certain disabilities, had received nearly 3,000 applications.

"We're also working closely with Age Concern to support those who may need a bit of extra help," said Ennals. "If people take advantage of the assistance available and act in good time, Whitehaven can look forward to a successful switchover."

[Analoguesat]

Originally Posted by BGonaSTICK

Latest research for the switchover coordination body shows all 25,000 households in the area intend to switch,

A brilliant bit of research :clap:

[BGonaSTICK]

I hope the bullshit stops once the media-morons move on from Whitehaven... :

I think I'd lose the will to live if we had to go through this every time a bit of hardware gets upgraded.