Poet launches campaign to help TV viewers deal with digital switchover

In August and September, analogue terrestrial services for households in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire will start being switched off. Digital UK and the Switchover Help Scheme will support viewers as they prepare for the biggest change to TV for a generation.

Today the region's digi-poet Ian McMillan, a Yorkshire Post columnist, will be at the White Rose Shopping Centre, Leeds, to launch a public information campaign to help viewers prepare for the changes.

Switchover will enable Freeview coverage to be increased to reach virtually all households in Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Viewers who get their TV signal from one of 56 local relay transmitters across the Yorkshire and Lincolnshire region will see their choice of terrestrial channels increase from four to around 15.

John Askew, Digital UK's regional manager for the Yorkshire TV region, said: "The benefits of switchover will be felt by hundreds of thousands of viewers who will be able to receive free-to-air digital TV via an aerial for the first time. Over the coming months we will be making plenty of information available and working with the Switchover Help Scheme to ensure viewers know where to turn for advice."

Emma Speed, Switchover Help Scheme regional manager added: "The thought of changes to their TV signal may concern many elderly or disabled people. But there's no need to worry because help is available. All you need to do is look out for the packs dropping through your door any day now and, once you receive them, either give us a call or return your completed form and we'll do the rest."

Those eligible for help include those aged 75 or over and those registered blind or partially sighted. For information about digital switchover, call 08456 50 50 50 or visit www.digitaluk.co.uk