Scotland to complete digital TV switchover today

A milestone for Scottish digital TV services has been reached, with the country set to complete the switchover from analogue broadcasting today (June 22nd 2011).

All of the nation's analogue stations have now been deactivated for the final time, with the move due to finish this afternoon when digital signals are turned on at the final transmitter in Kirkfieldbank, near Lanark.

Once the three-year engineering project comes to an end, around 98.5 per cent of households in Scotland will be able to tune in to free digital TV services.

In order to mark the end of the 59-year history of analogue broadcasting north of the border, television stalwarts Mary Marquis and Glen Michael have been invited to witness the final stages of the Kirkfieldbank switchover.

Paul Hughes, manager for Scotland at Digital UK - the body tasked with managing the process - noted the work means that more people than ever can enjoy Freeview channels such as BBC Three, ITV2 and E4.

"This is great news for Scotland - now that switchover is complete, digital TV coverage has been boosted to reach an extra one million viewers and Scotland has a broadcasting system fit for the 21st century," he commented.

Although the project is nearly finished, Mr Hughes reassured viewers that they can still get help and advice on moving from analogue to digital, with the Switchover Help Scheme set to remain in operation in Scotland until July 22nd.

When the work at Kirkfieldbank is completed, Digital UK will turn its attention to Yorkshire, where the switchover is scheduled to get underway on August 3rd.

The Belmont and Oliver's Mount transmitter groups will be the first to switch to digital, followed by Sheffield and Chesterfield on August 10th and Emley Moor on September 7th.

From September 21st, all TV in the Yorkshire region will be fully digital.