Digital TV cost cutting
Currently both analogue and digital TV signals are being broadcast across the UK. Over the next 4 years the traditional analogue TV signal is going to be turned off. So in order to continue watching television you will need a digital receiver of some sort.
The switchover process will take place from 2008 - 2012
2008 – Borders
2009 – West Country, HTV Wales, Granada
2010 – HTV West, Grampian, Scottish Television
2011 – Yorkshire, Anglia, Central
2012 – Meridian, Carlton/LWT (London), Tyne Tees, Ulster
Digitaltelevision.gov.uk/dig_switchover/wtdigswitchover_home.html
Freeview
The cheapest way to make sure you are able to watch digital TV is by buying a Freeview box. The prices have really tumbled in the last year and you can now buy a basic box for around £20. Once you have bought the box you plug your existing aerial into the Freeview box and plug the freeview box in to the scart socket on the back of your TV and thats it. You will then have free access to over 30 digital TV channels including all the BBC channels. As the name suggests all the channels are free to watch so you never need to pay a subscription (One thing to remember is that your TV needs to have a scart socket for the freeview box to plug into, if you have one you are fine, but some older TV’s don’t have scart sockets, but you can buy a cheap scart adaptor that should work thought).
Most freeview boxes come with a slot in the front of them for a Top Up TV card. Top up TV is a subscription based service. You pay a montly fee and get a card which you slot into the freeview box, this will give you access to an additional 19 channels. (Note you will need to pay for a top up TV card then pay a monthly fee whichis around £9.99 per month to watch the additional channels, top up TV have a 12 month contract and a month by month contract)
Sky TV
Another way of viewing digital TV is via Sky. Sky offer 180 different TV channels in its top package which costs £43.50 per month. The most basic package is £15 and gives you more that freeview and top up put together.
The basic Sky receiver box, satellite dish and installation are free, even with the basic package
So the cheapest Sky package for 1 year will cost you £15 x 12 months = £180
If you keep your eyes peeled Sky usually have some special offers on to get more people signed up. Click here to see what Sky’s current offer is.
Whilst Sky is more expensive than simply buying a freeview box Sky do offer free broadband to all their customers, so the basic Sky package will probably work out cheaper on a monthly basis for the channels and broadband, than if you bought broadband alone from a broadband operator. (It is worth noting that the Sky broadband has a monthly cap of 2gb a month internet useage, so if you are a heavy user of the internet then it may not be suitable).
It is also worth noting that digital services vary across the UK so it is worth checking out what you can and can’t receive in your area.
Virgin Media (a recent amalgamation of NTL, Telewest and Virgin Mobile)
One of the good things about Virgin Media (also known at ‘cable TV’) is that you can combine one monthly payment of £30 for your digital TV, broadband connection and home phone. This also includes the line rental so you can cancel your BT line rental. Also for an extra £10 a month you can also include a Virgin contract phone too. This is great value but it is essential to check the restrictions you are allowed on each item to see that they are suitable for your needs as you might be surprised.
Not all areas of the UK currently have access to Virgin Media so you will need to check.
Uswitch
Uswitch are an independent utility comparison website. They have a digital TV section, all you need to do is enter your postcode and you can see what digital services are in your area, it also gives you a breakdown of what each service offers and the price.
Kelkoo
Kelkoo is also very useful if you want to compare the different digital boxes on the market.
