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Digital Switchover - How to Switch

Central and Anglia Regions Switchover. Begins 30th March 2011.

The Digital switchover will be happening in your area, but do you really know what that means?

The switchover will happen in two stages to give you the chance to check your equipment. It's likely you will have to do something at both stages, but it is important you are ready by stage one.

Step 1

At stage one, the analogue BBC Two signal is switched off & Freeview extends to reach all areas for the first time. This means that:

  • If you don't have a digital tuner built into your TV, or a digital receiver such as a set-top box, you'll lose BBC Two.
  • If you have Freeview, Top Up TV or BT Vision you'll need to install or re-tune your equipment.
  • If you have Sky TV, Virgin Media, Tiscali, Freesat from Sky or freesat on all your TV sets, you will not be affected by the switchover.

Step 2

At stage two, the rest of the analogue channels are switched off and the remaining Freeview channels become available in all areas for the first time. This means that:

  • If you haven't switched to digital, you will lose your TV channels.
  • If you have Freeview, Top Up TV or BT Vision you’ll need to re-tune your equipment again.
  • If you have Sky TV, Virgin Media, Tiscali, Freesat from Sky or freesat on all your TV sets, you will not be affected by the switchover.

When is it happening?

Digital Switchover Map

To find out exactly when the switchover is taking place in your area please click here. Please note you will be directed to the website of Digital UK, one of our key partners in the switchover.

1. How many TVs do you have in your home?

Consider every TV set that you want to continue watching. Any TV not connected to a Freeview HD, Freesat or other Satellite service will not pick up terrestrial TV after switchover. New TVs may have integrated Freeview or Freesat functions already built into the television set.

Freeview Freesat

If you enjoy recording, consider getting a digital TV recorder that will also be Switchover ready.

Set Top Recorders


2. Your TV aerial
Most rooftop aerials and some set-top aerials will be fine after switchover. If you decide to get a service like Freeview, BT Vision or Top Up TV you can check your aerial by visiting the aerial test on Teletext page 284. If you decide to get your digital TV service from Sky TV, Virgin Media, Freesat from Sky or freesat on all the TV sets in your home, you won't need an aerial.


3. What to consider with a satellite service
If you choose a digital satellite service and live in a listed building or conservation area, you may need planning permission.

Sky packages

4. Will this switchover affect my radio?
Your radio equipment will not be affected by switchover.

Postcode Checker