Switchover begins in Anglia TV region

The digital television switchover has today begun in the Anglia TV region, bringing the Freeview service to thousands more homes.
Shortly after midnight, analogue BBC Two was switched off permanently at the Sandy Heath transmitter serving Cambridgeshire, Northamptonshire and Bedfordshire, to be replaced by digital channels on Freeview.
Around 45,000 households in the Anglia TV region will be able to receive Freeview for the first time, but existing digital terrestrial television viewers will need to retune their receiver equipment following the transition.
The remaining analogue channels will be switched off in the region on April 13 to complete the switchover process. On this date, further Freeview channels will become available to Anglia TV homes, including the digital networks offered by ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5.

Viewers in the Nottingham area who receive TV signals from the Waltham transmitter near Melton Mowbray will not see analogue turned off until August 17.
Eligible older and disabled people can get assistance in converting to digital TV from the BBC-administered Switchover Help Scheme, which has so far helped more than 500,000 homes in the UK.
Peter Monteith, regional manager for Anglia at switchover body Digital UK, said: “Switchover in the Anglia region is now under way, and many people are receiving Freeview channels for the first time.
“We’re now encouraging any viewers who still don’t have the necessary equipment to get ready in time for April 13, when all the analogue channels will be permanently switched off. Anyone who needs advice during this period should contact Digital UK or sign up for the Help Scheme if they are eligible.”
The UK’s digital switchover is rapidly moving towards completion, with Wales and the majority of Scotland, along with the West, South West and North West of England already having made the switch to digital TV.
Digital UK also confirmed today that London’s switch to digital will be completed in time for the Olympic Games next summer, when the Crystal Palace transmitter permanently switches off analogue signals.