14 October 2008
Almost one-third of the country's television sets are still tuned to analogue, according to the latest figures from the organisation responsible for the digital switchover. The first analogue signals are to be turned off next month, yet 30% of the nation's TV sets need to be converted, Digital UK found. Some areas are lagging further behind than others, it revealed, with the Yorkshire, Anglia and STV North regions having the lowest proportion of digital-ready sets. At the other end of the scale, Tyne Tees and STV Central are embracing the digital TV revolution, with 89% and 77% of TV sets converted in these regions respectively. David Scott, Chief Executive of Digital UK, said that almost nine out of ten homes have already switched to digital on their main TV. However, "patchy" Freeview services have prevented them from converting secondary sets. "The good news is that switchover will allow us to boost Freeview signals so they reach virtually all households, offering many viewers more choice in how to get digital TV." The digital switchover will begin next month, when analogue signals in the Scottish Borders are turned off.