Digital dawn for Whitehaven

[j.m@talk]

THE UK digital revolution has started with Whitehaven turning off the BBC2 analogue signal.
This has made way for the first digital stations: BBC1, BBC2, BBC3, Five, BBC News 24 and CBBC.
On November 14 the other analogue stations will be turned off making room for 20 Freeview channels.
It follows hot on the heels of digital radio which started broadcasting in the Whitehaven area two weeks ago.

Digital UK is running drop-in centres around the area (including Age Concern's headquarters by the harbourside) to help those having with switchover. You can also call the Digital UK helpdesk on 08456 50 50 50.

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Fwoar I'm hangin' on the edge of me seat :rolleyes:

No BBC2 :eek: ........ The world will end I tells yas :t

[j.m@talk]

SpOoKy news from last week:

Are you digital ready...? Just six days to go to the big switchover

DIGITAL UK’s chief executive, Ford Ennals, has sent a message to the people of Copeland ahead of the first phase of the switchover next Wednesday.
The Copeland area will be the first in the UK to go entirely digital from next week.

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Ford Ennals: ‘There’s been a
lot of hard work in the community’

Mr Ennals told The Whitehaven News: “I’d first like to say a word of thanks to the local community, Copeland Borough Council and the many volunteer groups. There’s been a lot of hard work to get the community prepared.
We feel we are on track for switchover. There is now a genuine sense of anticipation. There’s been a lot of preparation and planning and now people just want to get on with it and get those extra channels.”

Switchover is in two stages starting next Wednesday with BBC2 being turned off and the first few digital channels being introduced. It concludes on November 14 with all terrestrial channels being turned off and all 20 Freeview channels being switched on.
Mr Ennals’s main message was to those who have not yet prepared for switchover.

He said: “I am gratified at the number of people who are aware of switchover and The Whitehaven News has played a lead role in that. In general people understand what they have to do.
“We urge people to take action now because we don’t want people to miss out.”
He said he understood it was human nature to leave things to the last minute and the November 14 deadline did offer a period of grace. But he pointed out that for a long time the people of Copeland have had to listen to announcers saying “Starting soon on BBC3 or ITV2” but now the area would have those extra channels.

He added: “This is an important part of British broadcasting history because Copeland is the lead area.
“When I spoke to MP Jamie Reed some months ago he was keen that the switchover would give the area national visibility and that is certainly happening.”
Mr Ennals also reassured people that Digital UK wouldn’t be packing up there bags and leaving the day after switchover. In particular, he pointed out that workshops will be taking place the week of switchover around Egremont, Seascale and Cleator Moor where people could ask technical questions.

[leprechaun_40]

Yawns ;)