By Jennifer Manders

RESIDENTS living in the Central TV region, which includes Wyre Forest, will soon be entering a new digital age.

The Digital UK Switchover is happening in different parts of the country this year and, by 2012, everywhere will have switched from analogue to digital.

The Central TV region, along with two other regions, will be switched over by the autumn.

All of the analogue channels will be turned off and Freeview digital TV and radio services will take their place.

The plan to switch was a decision made by the Government and the reason for it was the number of households that cannot access Freeview services.

The only way to completely ensure households can receive those services is by switching off the analogue broadcasting system to allow Freeview coverage all over the country.

It will also open up the possibility of other services, such as faster wireless broadband and mobile television and the economy will receive a £5 million to £10 billion boost thanks to the spectrum released once analogue is off.

Although many people already own a digital TV service - 23.7 million homes have a digital TV as their main set, with 10 million of them watching Freeview - the switchover will ensure that all of the estimated 60 million homes that have a TV set will have the digital services.

Peter Monteith, Digital UK manager for the Central TV region, said: “Digital TV will allow for more choice as analogue only allows for a maximum of four or five channels but digital will bring a minimum of 15 channels and will provide HD services, subtitling, audio description and red button services.”

Another advantage is the switchover will provide a better Freeview signal, reducing the chance of picture break-up.

The switchover will take place in two stages, starting with the BBC.

BBC2 will stop its broadcast on analogue and will be replaced by the BBC digital channels, the first time some areas will have ever had them. Stage two will be the complete and permanent end of analogue TV.

Different services have been set up to help people, particularly those with disabilities and the elderly, with the switchover.

The BBC has created the Switchover Help Scheme aimed at giving practical assistance to about seven million homes.

The scheme is aimed at those who are 75 or older, have lived in a care home for six months or over, receive certain disability benefits or are blind or partially sighted.

It ensures equipment is provided to change one TV set and which will be installed with a demonstration on how to use it, plus follow-up support.

Digital UK has created partnerships with a number of charities, such as Age UK, so people who need extra help can receive more information and advice.

It has also joined with other organisations like retailers and local authorities to again give more information on digital TV.

Digital UK will also host 240 road shows across the Central region offering help and advice.

Once the switchover is in place, anyone with an analogue recorder can still play their tapes but will not be able to record unless it is connected to a digital box or one that has been converted with a digital box.

Mr Monteith said: “Switchover will bring a new era in broadcasting for viewers in the Midlands.

“We’re preparing for the end of the analogue TV era and the dawn of a fully digital age, in which everyone can enjoy extra choice and easier recording.

“Digital UK and the Switchover Help Scheme will ensure people know about this important change and that advice and practical support are available.

“You don’t need to throw out your old TV, as almost all sets can be converted with a digital box and if you have Freeview, check you know how to retune your TV or box, as you will need to do it at both stages of switchover.”

Digital UK was created by UK broadcasters in September, 2005 to put the digital switchover in place.

The BBC, ITV, Channel Four, Five and S4C own and fund Digital UK alongside digital multiplex operators SDN and Arqiva.

The first switchover happened in November, 2007 in Copeland, Cumbria, with Border becoming the first TV region in July, 2009 to complete the switchover.

Other areas that have already switched include Wales, Granda and the West Country. London is one of the places that will be switched over next year.

The Central region is covered by nine transmitters, which results in more overlaps so households in the area can pick up signal on more than one transmitter.

Kidderminster can pick up three of those transmitters. They are Sutton Coldfield and Malvern transmitters plus a Kidderminster relay transmitter that is part of the Sutton Coldfield transmitter group but some households can also pick up transmitters from further away.

Those on the Kidderminster relay transmitter, which includes Stourport, Bewdley and Blakedown, will have the two stages of the switchover take place on September 7 and September 21.

The dates of the switchover are the same for Stourbridge for the areas on the Brierley Hill transmitter.

For more information or advice, visit digitaluk.co.uk or phone the advice line on 08456 50 50 50.

To check when the switchover takes place in your area, visit the website to use the postcode checker.