News Release

4th February 2009

Reminder for eligible older and disabled people in Exeter, parts of Devon, Somerset and Dorset to get help to switch to digital TV

Older and disabled people living in Exeter, parts of Devon, Somerset and Dorset are being reminded about the extra help they can get to convert to digital TV in time for switchover this spring.

The Stockland Hill transmitter group which predominantly serves Exeter, parts of Devon, Somerset and Dorset will begin to switch to digital on the 6 May.

To make sure everyone gets help in plenty of time, the Switchover Help Scheme, which is run by the BBC, has been writing to eligible people inviting them to apply.

People are eligible if:

• They are aged 75 or over
• They have lived in a care home for six months or more
• They get (or could get) disability living allowance, or attendance or constant attendance allowance, or mobility supplement, or
• They are registered blind or partially sighted

For a one off payment of £40 eligible people will be offered easy to use Freeview equipment to convert one TV set, installation of that equipment, an aerial check and upgrade if necessary for those that own their own aerials, a demonstration of how it works and someone to call for help whilst they are getting used to it.

The service is free for eligible people who also get pension credit, income support, or income based job seeker's allowance.

Other options are available, some at extra cost. All options and prices are clearly set out in the information pack which is being sent direct to each eligible person's home.

With more than three months to go until switchover, around one in five eligible people mailed by the Help Scheme in West Country have now responded, either to take up the support, or to say they don't need help

People who have been sent a pack are now being sent another letter to remind them that they must reply if they want help. Importantly, even if they do not need help, we would like them to let the Switchover Help Scheme know so that we can be sure they're ready for switchover.

Most eligible people in Exeter, parts of Devon, Somerset and Dorset will have received their first letter already. Some will not have received it yet because we are still checking their details. They don't have to worry because they will be contacted in plenty of time before switchover. If they haven't received an information pack by April 2009, they can give us a call.

Local Help Scheme spokesperson Teresa Thorne, said: "The message we want to give eligible people is that there really is no need to get left behind. Help is available and we want to hear from anyone who hasn't yet responded and needs our help.

"The sooner people get in touch the sooner they will be switched to digital and able to continue watching their favorite shows after switchover."

To make it even easier, eligible people can choose to apply by calling the Help Scheme free on 0800 40 85 902 instead, or they can nominate someone else to make their application for them.

The Help Scheme is run by the BBC through an agreement with the Government, and has been designed around the needs of older and disabled people. Equipment has been chosen to be easy to use, and contact centre, delivery staff and installers have all been trained to understand and respect older and disabled people. Installers are vetted, carry identification and will never call without having made an appointment.

ENDS

Notes to editors:

Media Contacts:

Sarah Fairfax
Communications Executive - Switchover Help Scheme
T: 0191 245 8834
M: 07730424407
E: sarah.fairfax@eaga.com

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.

More information is available by calling 0800 40 85 902 or through visiting www.helpscheme.co.uk

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.

REGIONAL TIMETABLE - PUBLISHED DATES are as follows:

West Country 2009
Beacon Hill 8 & 22 April 2009
Stockland Hill 6 & 20 May 2009
Huntshaw Cross 1 & 29 July 2009
Redruth 8 July & 5 Aug 2009
Caradon Hill 12 Aug & 9 Sept 2009

The first switchover in the first West Country ITV area affecting the Beacon Hill transmitter will start on 8 April 8 2009 and the process will be complete 22 April 2009.

The second switchover affecting the Stockland Hill transmitter will start on 6 May 2009 and be complete by 20 May 2009.

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.