Analogue TV switch-off / Freeview switch-over

Information

Updated: 11/01/2012

The dates on which the various stages of the analogue TV switch-off / Freeview switch-over will take place in the London area have now been announced.

The analogue TV switch-off / Freeview switch-over will proceed as follows:

On Wednesday, 4th of April:

BBC Two will STOP transmitting in analogue form. ITV 1 in analogue form will change frequency and transmit in place of BBC Two.

There will be many changes to Freeview. You will need to re-tune your Freeview box/television.

The World's End television relay on Greaves Tower will STOP transmitting BBC One, BBC Two, ITV1 and Channel 4 in analogue form and begin transmitting a Freeview signal.

Freeview TV channels available from the World's End television relay from the 4th of April will be: BBC One, BBC Two, BBC Three, BBC Four, CBBC, CBeebies, BBC News, BBC Parliament, BBC Red Button.

Freeview radio stations available from the World's End television relay from the 4th of April will be: BBC Radio, BBC 1Xtra, BBC Radio 2, BBC Radio 3, BBC Radio 4, BBC Radio 5 Live, BBC Radio 5 Live Sports Extra, BBC 6 Music, BBC Radio 4 Extra, BBC Asian Network and BBC World Service.

On Wednesday, 18th of April:

BBC One, ITV 1, Channel 4 and Channel 5 will STOP transmitting on analogue. This marks the END of all analogue television transmissions in the London area. You will not be able to view UK terrestrial television transmissions without a Freeview set-top box or Freeview-capable television.

There will be many changes to Freeview. You will need to re-tune your Freeview box/television.

The World's End relay on Greaves Tower will expand it's Freeview service.

Additional Freeview TV channels available from the World's End television relay from the 18th April will be: ITV 1, Channel 4, Channel 5, ITV 2, Channel 4+1, More 4, E4, ITV 1 +1, BBC One HD, ITV 1 HD, Channel 4 HD, BBC HD, Rabbit and Gay Rabbit.

Note: The World's End television relay will not provide the ''full'' Freeview service. It will only provide the ''public service'' TV channels and radio stations. To access the ''full'' Freeview service you will need to receive a signal from the main television transmitter at Crystal Palace. The communal digital TV system and faceplate installed by the Council/TMO provides full access to the signal from Crystal Palace. The World's End television relay can be used to provide Freeview set-top boxes or Freeview-capable television sets connected to an indoor aerial with a high quality signal (although they are likely to receive a good quality signal from Crystal Palace in any case).

Other Information

Residents aged 75 or over, or in receipt of Disability Living Allowance, Attendance Allowance, Constant Attendance Allowance or mobility supplement, or registered blind or partially sighted may be eligible for help from the Switchover Help Scheme (which may include the supply and installation of a free Freeview set-top). Please visit the website of the scheme for further information.

Sky, Freesat and Virgin cable services are unaffected by the analogue TV switch-off / Freeview switch-over. If you receive UK television channels from Sky, Freesat or Virgin cable you will not need to do anything.