Hobbies & InterestsDigital WorldHalf a million older people helped with the switch to digital Half a million older people helped with the switch to digital
24/02/2011
The number of older and disabled people who have received help to switch to digital TV this week passed the half a million mark, the BBC-run Switchover Help Scheme has announced.
The 500,000th Switchover Help Scheme customer had their digital TV equipment installed this week, about two and half years after switchover started in earnest.
The Switchover Help Scheme offers people aged 75 and over and eligible disabled practical help to switch one TV to digital in the run-up to switchover in their region.
Run by the BBC under an agreement with the Government, the Help Scheme is charged with trying to ensure that no eligible older or disabled person is left with a blank screen after switchover.
People who opt in get easy-to-use digital equipment, installation, an aerial check and 12-months aftercare for one TV in their home.
So far Wales, much of Scotland, the west and south west of England and the north West have switched to digital TV only – more than a quarter of UK households. All remaining UK households will go through switchover before the end of 2012.
About seven million individuals and couples will be eligible for help over the lifetime of switchover. By the end of 2012, it is predicted that more than one million eligible people will have taken up the help.
Switchover Help Scheme Chief Executive Peter White said: “Digital TV is now an everyday convenience for most of us. But for a minority of older and disabled people, switchover is a struggle which could mean they lose access to some of the TV services that they value. So we are pleased that we’ve been able to provide end-to-end support for so many eligible people who’ve come to us.
“It has only been achieved with the help of our service provider eaga plc, communications partners Digital UK and the support of literally hundreds of organisations and volunteers across the UK.
“Switchover is picking up pace and we will continue to focus on delivering a consistently high standard of service.”
Currently the Switchover Help Scheme installs digital TV equipment in more than 10,000 homes a week, in the Central, Anglia and Yorkshire ITV regions and in central Scotland.
Over the next eighteen months, switchover will be rolled out to the remaining TV regions including Meridian , London, Tyne Tees and Ulster.
The Help Scheme is delivered in partnership with a diverse range of organisations, including statutory authorities and voluntary and third sector organisations such as Age UK and RNIB, as well as local community and voluntary programmes. A communities programme enlists local supporters such as shopkeepers, hairdressers and postmen to help spread the word.
The timetable for remaining TV regions to switch to digital is as follows:
STV Central – switchover began in October 2010 and completes in June 2011
Anglia, Central – switchover begins March 2011
Yorkshire – switchover begins August 2011
Meridian, London, Tyne Tees, UTV – switchover begins in 2012