2 November 2007
The digital television transmitter switchover could cause an "unfair lottery" for viewers in Scotland, an MP has claimed.
Michael Moore has expressed concerns that the switchover from analogue to digital services will mean that many homes not currently being provided by the main Selkirk transmitter will lose out on certain channels, the BBC reports.
The minister's comments come as the Scottish borders region was named as the second area to switch over to digital TV following Whitehaven in Cumbria earlier this month.
A Digital UK spokesman told the BBC that all homes will eventually receive all public service broadcasters after the change is implemented.
However, some commercial channels including those run by Sky will only be available on the main transmitter and not the relay, meaning some customers may lose out on channels.
Borders MP Mr Moore called for the situation to be rectified over the course of the coming year in order to stop households being "short changed".
"People across the Borders, and in time across the whole of rural Scotland, will also face an unfair lottery in the stations they will receive," he said.
"This basic unfairness has still not been tackled."
The Scottish Borders area is due to switch to digital TV as of November 6th 2008.