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:

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.