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What is the digital switchover?

Starting in 2008 and ending in 2012, analogue TV will be switched off and the UK will go completely digital, TV region by TV region.

You won't be able to watch television on any set that hasn't been converted to digital.

Why is it happening?

Our region is Meridian which is changing over in 2012 but the switch over has already started in other regions.

The majority of UK homes currently have digital TV. However, one in four cannot get it via their aerial and many still cannot receive channel five.

Only by switching off the existing 'analogue' broadcasting system is it possible to boost the digital signal and get it to parts of the country that can't currently receive it.

What channels will I get?

Once the switchover is complete, you will be able to watch around 30 of the most popular Freeview channels featuring news, films, history and children's programmes, plus interactive red button services and digital radio.

Freeview entertainment channels

Freeview HD channels

Freeview news channels

Freeview children's channels

Freeview music channels

Freeview lifestyle channels

Freeview interactive channels

Freeview radio channels

And if you choose a Sky or Freesat satellite dish installation, you can enjoy hundreds more dedicated channels.

When will this happen?

The switchover has already begun.

Whitehaven in Cumbria and the surrounding area is leading the switchover process in the UK and switched in October 2007. Listed below are the digital switchover dates for the transmitters and relays affecting East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey and Kent.

Transmitter Relays Area affected Switchover Start Date Switchover Completion Date
Hannington Aldbourne, Alton, The Bournes, Chisbury, Hemdean HP, Hemdean VP, Hurstbourne Tarrant, Lambourn, Tidworth Hampshire, Berkshire and Surrey 08 February 2012 22 February 2012
Midhurst Haslemere, Steyning
 West Sussex
 29 February 2012 14 March 2012
Rowridge Bovington, Brading, Brighstone, Canford Heath, Cheselbourne, Corfe Castle, Donhead, Findon, Hangleton, Horndean, Luccombe, Lulworth, Luscombe Valley, Millbrook HP, Millbrook VP, Patcham, Piddletrenthide, Poole, Poulner, Rowridge VP, Salisbury, Shrewton, Singleton, Sutton Row, Till Valley, Ventnor, Westbourne, Winterborne Stickland, Winterbourne Steepleton Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Dorset and West Sussex
 07 March 2012 21 March 2012
Whitehawk Hill
 Bevendean, Brighton Central, Coldean, Ovingdean HP, Ovingdean VP, Portslade, Saltdean Brighton 07 March 2012 21 March 2012
Hastings Hastings (Old Town) Hastings 30 May 2012 13 June 2012
Heathfield Bexhill UHF, East Dean, Eastbourne, Eastbourne (Old Town), Ham Street, Haywards Heath, Hollington Park, Lamberhurst, Lewes HP, Lewes VP, Mountfield, Newhaven, Sedlescombe, Wye East Susssex
 30 May 2012 13 June 2012
Tunbridge Wells St Marks HP, St Marks HP Tunbridge 30 May 2012 13 June 2012
Bluebell Hill
 Chatham Town Kent 13 June 2012 27 June 2012
Dover Broadstairs, Farleigh, Chartham, Dover B, Dover Town, Elham, Faversham, Folkestone, Horn Street, Hythe Marina, Lydden, Lyminge, Newnham, Ramsgate, Rye, Turnpike Hill Kent 13 June 2012 27 June 2012
Margate None Margate 2012 2012
Crystal Palace
 Alexandra Palace, Assendon, Biggin Hill, Bishops Stortford, Cane Hill, Caterham, Chelmsford C5, Chepping Wycombe, Chesham, Chingford, Croydon (Old Town), Croydon C5, Crystal Palace, Dorking, East Grinstead, Edmonton, Farningham, Finchley, Forest Row, Gravesend, Great Missenden, Greenwich, Hammersmith, Hampstead Heath, Hemel Hempstead, Hemel Hempstead Town, Henley-on-Thames, Hertford, High Wycombe, Hughenden, Kenley, Kensal Town, Lea Bridge, Marlow Bottom, Micklefield, Mickleham, New Addington, New Barnet, Old Coulsdon, Orpington, Otford, Poplar, Reigate, Skirmett, St Albans, Sutton, Walthamstow North, Welwyn, West Wycombe, Wonersh, Wooburn, Woolwich, Worlds End Greater London and surrounding areas (including East Sussex, West Sussex, Surrey and Kent) 04 April 2012 18 April 2012
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