National switch to digital television begins

jason · 30-03-2005, 16:10

Television history has been made with the start of the analogue switch-off in the UK.

A tiny corner of Wales is no longer able to receive television through a conventional aerial and has gone digital instead.

Around 460 homes in the villages of Ferryside and Llansteffan are now at the forefront of technology and can now only receive a digital TV signal.

German capital Berlin is the only other place in Europe to have achieved this.

The move is the first part of the Government's plan to switch off analogue TV completely and move over to digital by 2012.

There are 11 million homes to convert across the country and it can cost up to £300 per household to go digital.

British viewers face a combined bill of £3 billion to make the switch or lose out on television altogether.

accymel · 30-03-2005, 16:13

Once the analogue is switched off do we still be charged for TV livience or will it become part of the digi bill???

slinky · 30-03-2005, 16:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by accystanmac

Once the analogue is switched off do we still be charged for TV livience or will it become part of the digi bill???

Good point!!

accymel · 30-03-2005, 16:16

LOL trust me to get straight on to the money bit pmsl

glad im not only one to be curious tho

jason · 30-03-2005, 16:22

That is what we would all like to know!!
More robbing off us folk!

Neil · 30-03-2005, 16:27

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason

There are 11 million homes to convert across the country and it can cost up to £300 per household to go digital.

British viewers face a combined bill of £3 billion to make the switch or lose out on television altogether.

This bit I don't understand. A freeview box is about £30-40. Do some housholds have 10 TV's ( £30 x 10 = £300 ).

Neil · 30-03-2005, 16:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by accystanmac

Once the analogue is switched off do we still be charged for TV livience or will it become part of the digi bill???

Yes you will still pay for your TV licence.

What do you mean by digi bill - Sky Digital is seperate altogether.
Most of us can get free digital TV now using a freeview box. Just buy it and plug it in. Some people may need a new aerial, my original aerial works fine.

Quote:

Originally Posted by jason

That is what we would all like to know!!
More robbing off us folk!

How can more channels for no extra money be a rip off?

accymel · 30-03-2005, 16:36

Im sorry i think thats a joke i think tv should come under one bill the amount the bill is is dependant on how many channels u want but what about those whom haven't got digital ???? Just extra costs for crappy viewing to get an ariel n box or dish charged a fortune from those companies n BBc want their own slice as well!!!!!!!! RIP OFF Britain it is!!! hang on Roy i may be boarding a plane [oh i wish!**

Less · 30-03-2005, 16:48

Quote:

Originally Posted by accystanmac

hang on Roy i may be boarding a plane [oh i wish!**

Get to the back of the queue! If any-ones going to carry his luggage it's going to be ME!

accymel · 30-03-2005, 16:51

Quote:

Originally Posted by Less

Get to the back of the queue! If any-ones going to carry his luggage it's going to be ME!

PMSL!!!!!! hey im in the luggage hope im not heavy for ya

.....shhhh just dont tell Roy LOL

Neil · 30-03-2005, 17:12

Quote:

Originally Posted by accystanmac

Im sorry i think thats a joke i think tv should come under one bill the amount the bill is is dependant on how many channels u want but what about those whom haven't got digital ???? Just extra costs for crappy viewing to get an ariel n box or dish charged a fortune from those companies n BBc want their own slice as well!!!!!!!! RIP OFF Britain it is!!! hang on Roy i may be boarding a plane [oh i wish!**

If you pay just the licence you get analogue and digital terrestrial ( not satellite ) included. There are several digital channels that are free. You pay extra if you want more. This is what you are talking about I think except you pay the extra to a different provider.

entwisi · 30-03-2005, 17:16

We are OK in Granada untill 2009 though so don't go getting on that plane just yet.

You can also get BBC, ITV,CH5 + a few others via a 'SKY' box without a subscription to BSkyB. YOu ring up and ask for a Free to Air card.

Ian

Neil · 30-03-2005, 18:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by entwisi

You ring up and ask for a Free to Air card.

Ian

You ring up and PAY for a Free To Air card

BBC channels and several others can be received on a Sky Digibox without a card in. Pull your card out and try it.

This does of course mean that we pay the licence fee that pays for the BBC and all of Europe and more can now receive BBC channels for nothing. We are a friendly country arn't we.

Tinkerbelle · 30-03-2005, 18:54

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

This does of course mean that we pay the licence fee that pays for the BBC and all of Europe and more can now receive BBC channels for nothing. We are a friendly country arn't we.

I had never thought of that

it beggars belief what they con us into.

I'm just thinking though

The European countries that are viewing these channels might have some means of paying the BBC too, do other countries not have a similar thing to TV licenes or the digital companies not pay a percentage to the BBC?

entwisi · 30-03-2005, 19:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neil

You ring up and PAY for a Free To Air card

BBC channels and several others can be received on a Sky Digibox without a card in. Pull your card out and try it.

This does of course mean that we pay the licence fee that pays for the BBC and all of Europe and more can now receive BBC channels for nothing. We are a friendly country arn't we.

We didn't pay for one for MIL. Just rang up and it came a few days later.

If you mean we pay the license fee then I'm afraid that is here to stay so there isn't really an option there