8 August 2008
TV viewers in Wales have been given a full timetable of the digital switchover across the country, which will see analogue signals turned off. The Swansea region will be the first to make the transition to digital TV on August 12th next year and the entire switchover process is predicted to be complete in 2010. From this date, Welsh viewers will have to own a digital TV or set top box in order to pick up TV signals through their aerial, or be subscribed to satellite or cable TV. According to Ofcom figures seen by the BBC, almost 90% of Welsh households already watch digital TV on their main TV set, slightly higher than the UK average. Commenting on the timetable announcement, Gwenllian Carr, Digital UK's National Manager for Wales, said: "Today is a real milestone in the programme for switchover in Wales." Meanwhile, viewers in the Scottish Borders are gearing up for the digital switchover, which will take place in their region on November 6th.