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Viewers' Audit Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ's)

1. What do I have to do to prepare for switchover?

If you don't already have digital TV, you will need to convert your television equipment to digital. There are a number of options for receiving digital TV. None of them is available to every household in the UK; but there are very few households who will not be able to receive one or more of them. The main options are:

Digital terrestrial – by plugging a set-top box between your aerial and TV set, or by upgrading your existing TV to an integrated digital television (IDTV), which has a built-in tuner ;
Digital cable – available on subscription only basis ;
Digital satellite – available on subscription and free-to-view basis ;
Broadband - digital TV is delivered into your home over a telephone line.

The availability of the different types of digital TV will vary depending on where you live. Check out the available options in your aerial by using the Digital UK postcode checker.
Alternatively you can get advice from an electrical retailer or supplier or look for the digital tick, which indicates sources of information or goods and services designed to help you through the digital switchover process.

2. If I don't do anything, will I lose my TV?

Yes - if you don't already have digital TV and don't do anything, you won’t be able to continue watching television broadcasts once switchover has happened in your area.

3. How much will it cost?

The costs of digital services and equipment have been steadily falling. Freeview boxes are now available for as little as £25 – 35, and the costs of equipment – set-top boxes, digital recorders, integrated digital TVs – are expected to continue to decline over the next few years. The arrival of the £25 box means that many homes that have not already completed their conversion to digital TV will be able to do so for perhaps only £50, excluding the cost of replacing any VCRs.

For some homes, though, the costs will be more significant. The 1 in 10 homes whose rooftop aerials will need replacement after switchover will face a cost of around £125, on average, in addition to any new equipment costs; a new feed from a rooftop aerial – for example, to replace an indoor aerial – could cost in the region of £50 on average. Homes that cannot receive an acceptable digital terrestrial signal will most likely need to acquire free-to-view satellite services with a current cost of £150 including professional installation. Consumers who need more advanced functionality – for example, equipment that is easier to use for people with visual loss or dexterity impairment – may need to pay more for set-top boxes with this functionality.

4. Why should I have to pay because someone else has decided to change TV?

The Government wants everyone in the UK to benefit from digital TV. Currently not everybody can get digital terrestrial TV. Switchover is taking place because it will provide everyone with better, more varied television, irrespective of where they are in the UK, and broader access to a wider range of digital services. Digital switchover is Government policy, so if you have further questions about the policy you can contact the Department for Culture, Media and Sport or the Department of Trade and Industry.

5. But why do we have to change the way we get TV?

Because it's only by switching over the airwaves that digital TV through your aerial can be rolled out to the places that can’t currently get it.

And digital TV through an aerial needs to be rolled out more widely to give everyone the widest possible choice of types of digital TV.

6. Can I get anyone to install the new equipment for me?

For cable and satellite services, installation is carried out by professional installers working for the operators, and should in most cases be straightforward. For digital terrestrial services, most set-top boxes and digital recorders are designed for consumers to be able to install themselves. If you are unable or lack confidence to install your own equipment, you will have to pay for professional installation.

7. Will there be a scheme to help the elderly or others who need particular help?

The Government has said that it will provide assistance to those most in need of financial and practical support during switchover, specifically households with at least one person aged 75 or over, households with one person with a significant disability (receiving attendance allowance and/or disability living allowance) and households where one person is blind. The precise details of this scheme are yet to be confirmed.

Further questions and answers on digital switchover can be found in Annex C of the report.