Digital switchover for Wales unveiled

Digital UK, the independent body overseeing digital switchover, has confirmed that Wales will begin the process on August 12, 2009.

The Kilvey Hill transmitter group, which serves Swansea and the surrounding area, will go all-digital on the start date, followed by the Preseli group - serving south-western Wales - on August 19, and the Carmel group, which serves south and central parts, on August 26.

"Today is a real milestone in the programme for switchover in Wales," said Gwenllïan Carr, Digital UK's national manager for Wales. "From 12 August 2009, thousands of viewers in the West Wales area will be able to enjoy digital television and radio free through their aerial. By 2010, Freeview channels will be available to more than 1.3 million Welsh homes."

Switchover dates for the remaining transmitter groups in Wales "will be announced in the coming months".

Six months before the switchover date for each transmitter group, captions will appear on analogue television broadcasts reminding viewers to make the change. In the two weeks immediately prior to analogue switch-off, the captions will get larger and appear more frequently.

In the first phase of switchover, BBC Two will cease analogue broadcasts and be replaced with a digital terrestrial multiplex. Four weeks' later, the remaining analogue signals will be turned off and replaced with additional digital multiplexes.