News Release

23rd March 2009

New Switchover Help Scheme information pack to help older and disabled people switch to digital

Eligible older and disabled people living in the Isle of Man will get a new Help Scheme information pack in the post in the next few weeks, explaining the options available for converting one TV set to digital under the Help Scheme.

The Switchover Help Scheme, which is run by the BBC, has been working closely with the Isle of Man Government to make sure that eligible people know what to do to get help in time for switchover in June this year.

The Isle of Man transmitters will begin to switch over to digital on 18 June 2009 and switchover will be completed by 16 July 2009. The new packs make it clear that eligible people need to seek help now, even if they watch TV from an off island transmitter which may be switching at a later date.

The information pack, is being sent to all eligible people on the Isle of Man and outlines all of the options available to go digital with the Help Scheme and spells out what people need to do to get help. Separate information packs will be sent to those people who are eligible for free help and for those who have to pay a subsidised cost of £40. The new pack includes current pricing information, where appropriate, for digital equipment available under the Help Scheme and incorporates the 15% VAT rate.

All eligible people will receive the new Switchover Help Scheme information pack. Everyone eligible should consider the offer of assistance with switching to digital even if they have already converted a TV set to digital or had an earlier information pack and turned down that offer. The offer of help will not be available after 22 August 2009.

Sumera Bashir, Help Scheme spokesperson for the Isle of Man, said: "We are grateful to the officers of the Isle of Man Government and the Communications Commission who have worked closely with us to ensure the information contained in the Switchover Help Scheme pack is relevant to the Isle of Man."

The Help Scheme offers eligible older and disabled people practical help to convert one TV set to digital, including installation if required, a demonstration, and aftercare.

Who is eligible?

• People aged 75 or over;
• People who have lived in a care home for six months or more;
• People who get (or could get) attendance allowance or disability living allowance from the DHSS, or constant attendance allowance or mobility supplement paid with their war pension;
• People who are registered blind or partially sighted.

What's on offer?

For a one-of payment of £40, or free for eligible people who get income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance, the Help Scheme offers:

• Easy-to-use equipment to convert one television set to digital;
• Help with installing the equipment;
• Fitting a satellite dish, or aerial where we cannot fit a dish, if it's needed to make the new equipment work;
• A demonstration of how the new equipment works;
• Someone to call for help while getting used to it.

The standard offer of equipment in the Isle of Man is a Sky satellite system. Other options to switch to digital are also available, some at a higher cost, which is explained in the information pack. A summary of all of the options available is included in the pack.

Eligible people need to complete and send back the form included in the information pack to get help. Any eligible person who needs help to apply can nominate someone to complete their form for them. To make it even easier, eligible people can apply by calling the free Help Scheme number 0800 40 85 901.

The Help Scheme is urging everyone to reply even if they don't need help with switchover. As a "thank you" for replying they will be sent two energy-saving light bulbs.

People who think they are eligible but who haven't received a letter by 1^st May 2009 should get in touch with the Help Scheme by calling the free number 0800 40 85 901.

ENDS

Notes for editors

Press contacts:

Diane Green
PR and Communications Manager - Switchover Help Scheme
T: 0191 245 8847
M: 07951478832

E: diane.green@eaga.com

Some people will have received an earlier pack. Options summaries for eligible people are detailed below.

Option summary for eligible people who get income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance

Your options summary:

1 - If you need to replace your aerial, it will cost an extra £71.

2 - You can choose to pay a subscription if you want to receive extra services, but Top Up TV is not available if you receive your signal from an on-island transmitter.

Option summary for eligible people who do NOT get income support or income-based jobseeker's allowance:

Your options summary:

1 - If you need to replace your aerial, it will cost an extra £71.

2 - You can choose to pay a subscription if you want to receive extra services, but Top Up TV is not available if you receive your signal from an on-island transmitter.

Digital television switchover is the process of converting the UK's terrestrial television system to digital. Between now and 2012, analogue channels will be switched off region by region and replaced with free-to-air digital TV and radio services (Freeview). Switchover will extend Freeview coverage to the whole of the UK and free up airwaves for new services such as ultra-fast wireless broadband and mobile television.

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, the 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.