News Release

16th June 2008

Switchover Help Scheme unveils digital options for eligible older and disabled people in the first switchover region

After a formal process, the Switchover Help Scheme has appointed Sky
to supply the lowest cost practical help for eligible older and
disabled people to switch to digital TV in the ITV Border region. This
is the first time the Switchover Help Scheme has unveiled the options
available for eligible households across a whole region.

The Switchover Help Scheme was set up by the Government and is run by
the BBC. Its purpose is to make digital TV easy for older and disabled
people by converting one of their televisions to digital in the run-up
to switchover in their region. People will be offered the help if they
are aged 75 or over, or eligible for certain disability benefits. The
ITV Border region will be the first in the UK to switch completely to
digital TV, starting on November 6 this year and completing the process
by June 2009.

Eligible people in the ITV Border region will be offered digital
satellite equipment fully installed by Sky on one of their TVs, at a
subsidised cost of £40, or free for eligible people who also get income
benefits. The equipment will give them access to more than 200
free-to-view television and radio channels without subscription. As
part of the agreement, Sky will deliver the high standard of specialist
service required by the Help Scheme to meet the diverse needs of older
and disabled people new to digital TV.

People who choose this option will get extra Sky TV channels and the
Sky+ digital recording service for two months without charge. At the
end of this time, they will be able to opt in to Sky's pay TV packages
if they wish. But if they don't want to receive the extra channels,
they don't have to do anything, and they will still continue to get all
the free digital television and radio channels offered by Sky
(currently more than 200).

All those who are eligible for the Switchover Help Scheme can also
choose from other digital options, some of which cost extra. They
include a range of Freeview equipment, Top Up TV and freesat from ITV
and BBC. A Freeview box which is easy to install can be delivered at no
extra charge, and for those needing help, installation or an aerial
upgrade are also available from the Help Scheme for a fixed price. All
options and prices are clearly set out in an information pack which
will be sent direct to each eligible person's home.

The Help Scheme determines the most cost effective option in each
successive switchover region, following a process set out in the Scheme
Agreement between the Government and the BBC. Switchover Help Scheme
service provider eaga plc subcontracts to the provider of the most cost
effective option. The process is designed to ensure that the Help
Scheme is good value for money and platform neutral, and that it
matches the rigorous service standards set out to meet the needs of
Help Scheme eligible people. The current options have been chosen just
for ITV Border and the process will be repeated for switchover in each
ITV region.

Press contact:

John Blewett or Rachael Richards, Luther Pendragon, 020 7618 9188

Notes to editors:

Standard offer:

The process for establishing the standard offer, or "most cost effective option", is set out in the Scheme Agreement between the Department for Culture, Media and Sport and the BBC.
Standard offer equipment must meet the Help Scheme's usability
requirements and the service provider commits to the Help Scheme's Code
of Service Standards.

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.

The timetable is as follows:

In the Border region, the Selkirk transmitter and its 11 relays serving
Scottish Borders, starts switchover on 6 November. The process will be
complete by 20 November 2008.

The Caldbeck and Kendal transmitters and with 46 relays serving
Cumbria and South West Scotland, switch between April and June 2009.
The Douglas transmitter area and its 9 relays serving the Isle of Man,
switches between April and June 2009

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.

From a base as the leading deliverer of the Government's fuel
poverty programmes, eaga's services are underpinned by over 15 years
experience of dealing with the most vulnerable groups in society. See www.eaga.com.

ENDS