Television in 2010 can be received and watched via an aerial, satellite, cable or broadband connection. The Digital Switchover (DSO as it has is in known in the trade) affects any TV that receives its signal from an aerial. If you mainly use an aerial for TV reception, it will receive its signal from a land-based transmitter. In the UK, there are more than 1,150 transmitters organised into around 80 transmitter groups that will switch to digital group by group. Each group has a main switchover transmitter and local relay transmitters.
Before switchover, local relay transmitters are generally only able to transmit an analogue TV signal. There are a few exceptions where relays serve a high number of households and where it has been possible to find frequencies that do not interfere with existing services, some relays carry digital channels.
After switchover, for the first time, most local relay transmitters will transmit digital signals and increase the number of channels available from around 5 to around 20.
It important that to understand which transmitter you are using.
Your switchover date and the number of channels you receive will depend on which transmitter your aerial is orientated towards. Signals from nearby transmitters often overlap, so you may have a choice of which one you can watch. One may give you a better signal than another, or increase the number of services you can receive.
If you are watching from a main transmitter you will receive more than 40 digital channels. If you are using a relay transmitter you will receive around 20 digital TV channels.
Use our postcode checker to find out which transmitter you are likely to be watching and your alternatives. If you want to point your aerial towards another transmitter you need to contact a qualified installer such as one registered with the CAI.
