Poet Ian McMillan marks end of analogue television

The poet held a workshop with children at the King’s Camp in Leeds to prepare for Yorkshire’s last switchover at the Emley Moor transmitter group, which serves more than four million viewers.

The resulting poem inspired by ideas from the children will be used to signal the switch to a new era of all-digital TV broadcasting on September 21.

The children taking part in the poetry workshop at Leeds Met Carnegie, Headingley Campus in Leeds, were aged between five and 10 years old and are attending the King’s Camp, which is a multi-activity camp.

Digital UK’s regional manager for the Yorkshire TV region, John Askew, said: “Ian helped launch the switchover campaign in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire and it seems only fitting for him to help us celebrate the very final switchover at Emley Moor.

“The benefit of the switchover is being felt by hundreds of thousands of viewers who are able to receive free-to-air digital TV via an aerial for the first time.”

Mr McMillan added: “I have been delighted to be associated with the successful switchover to digital in the region and, as we approach the very final date, it seems only right to ask some of the people who have directly benefited what they think – and who better than children in the region.”

Viewers with questions on preparing for the switchover and their options for digital TV can contact Digital UK on 08456 505050, or visit www.digitaluk.co.uk