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News release
5th September 2008
SWITCHOVER HELP SCHEME LAUNCHES NEW AWARENESS CAMPAIGN
The Switchover Help Scheme kicks off a national awareness campaign this week about the help available to elderly and disabled people when switchover comes to their area.
The two trails will run on BBC 1 and BBC 2 from 6 September. The first one will be shown at 16.29 following the Paralympics coverage on BBC 1. One features Jean, an elderly lady who is more concerned about match making between her visitor and the digital equipment installer. The second features Pete, who jokes that his guide dog can't install electrical equipment with his paws!
Switchover Help Scheme Chief Executive, Peter White, said:
"People are beginning to hear more about the digital switchover which will be taking place in different regions between now and 2012. This will be straightforward for many who are already switching to digital TV but a small number of people will need extra assistance in making the change.
"Even though this is some time away for many, we want to reassure everyone eligible that when that time comes practical help will be available."
People are eligible for help to convert one of their TV sets to digital if they are aged 75 or over, registered blind or partially sighted, or if they get (or could get) one of several disability benefits.
The Help Scheme offers a simple and low cost way to switch to digital and will install the equipment and provide someone to call for help while getting used to it.
Peter continued: "Everyone who is eligible will be sent the Switchover Help Scheme letter and application pack in the run up to switchover in their region."
The Help Scheme trails have been created in partnership with Digital UK, the organisation responsible for communicating and co-ordinating digital switchover. After the national airing this month they will be seen again in the different regions as switchover rolls out.
The Switchover Help Scheme has been up and running in the Scottish Borders region since the end of June in preparation for switchover on November 6.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Switchover Help Scheme
The Switchover Help Scheme is run by the BBC through an agreement with the Government to help older and disabled people make the change to digital.
In the run-up to switchover in each region, every eligible person will be offered practical help to convert one of their TV sets to digital. People are eligible if they are aged 75 years or more, or if they are registered blind or partially sighted. Also eligible are people who get (or could get) attendance or constant attendance allowance, mobility supplement, or disability living allowance.
Most people will be asked to contribute £40 towards the help. The service is free for people who are eligible and also get pension credit, income support or income-based jobseekers allowance. Other options will also be available, some at higher cost.
Digital switchover
The process of digital switchover will take place between 2008 and 2012, TV region by TV region. The exception is the area around Whitehaven, Cumbria, which became the first place to switch in October 2007.
Switchover is done in stages so that everyone in the country will be ready for it. The timetable is as follows:
| Region | Switchover |
| Border | 2008-2009 |
| West Country, Granada | 2009 |
| Wales | 2009 - 2010 |
| STV North | 2010 |
| West - STV Central | 2010 - 2011 |
| Central, Yorkshire, Anglia | 2011 |
| Meridian | 2011 - 2012 |
| London, Tyne Tees, Ulster | 2012 |
Digital UK
Digital UK is the independent, not-for-profit organisation established in 2005 to implement digital switchover. It is jointly owned and funded by the public-service broadcasters (BBC, ITV, Channel 4, Five, S4C and Teletext) and the digital multiplex operators.
eaga
eaga, a leading provider of residential energy efficiency and outsourcing services, has been selected by the BBC as the Help Scheme service provider to deliver the help available under the scheme from the ITV Border region onwards.