Digital TV News

Londoners ‘wasting money’ on new TVs for switchover

Tuesday 6 December, 2011

By Anthony Hill

Viewers reminded their telly will work after going digital.

People in London could be spending money on new TVs unnecessarily, as new research shows many don’t understand the digital switchover.

According to a survey by Digital UK, the organisation in charge of Britain’s switch from analogue to digital television, millions of Londoners may needlessly replace their old telly to prepare for the switch, which comes to the capital on 4 April, 2012.

A quarter of London’s TV audience, nearly three million people, were unaware that their TV need not be replaced, as most can be converted with the addition of a digital set-top box. More than half said they plan to buy a new one ahead of next year’s switch - at a combined cost of over £1billion.

Deborah Bain, London manager for Digital UK, said: “The last thing we want people to do is spend money if they don’t need to. Our survey reveals there’s still some confusion about whether old TVs will work after switchover in April. Virtually any TV, even black and white ones, can be adapted for digital with a low-cost box.”

The survey also found that one in three Londoners think their TV aerial will stop working after the switchover, while viewers aged 18-24 are most likely to replace their telly.

To help people understand their options ahead of the switchover, contemporary artist Holly Freeman will be touring parts of the capital with a unique sculpture made from old television sets retrieved from recycling depots.

Her artwork features a range of television sets from right across the decades, brought to life by a twinkling light installation. The artist intends to show how practically all TVs are compatible with the switchover, regardless of their age.

“Holly’s sculpture is a striking visual reminder that there’s life in the old set yet,” added Bain.

Photo by foistclub