Mike Hancock News
Mike Hancock warns that up to 150,000 people unaware that their TV screens will go blank tomorrow
Mike Hancock has warned that up to 150,000 people are unaware that their Freeview screens will go blank tomorrow and up to 100,000 people don’t know how to re-tune the set top boxes. Up to 500,000 viewers served by the Rowridge transmitter along the South Coast including South Hampshire, the Isle of Wight, East Dorset and West Sussex will have to retune their Freeview set-top boxes – tomorrow March 25th.
A survey conducted by Digital UK in conjunction with Ofcom last week showed that 32% of people in the area which equates to 150,000 are not aware that their box will need re-tuning.
19% or around 100,000 said they were not confident that they or someone they knew could re-tune their digital box. Digital UK say that they have 65 people on their helpline to assist but if 100,000 people ring up it will take 10 days for everyone to get through – assuming a ten minute phone call.
Mike Hancock said: “I have been assured by the broadcasting minister, Lord Carter that enough has been done to make this go smoothly but this is a mammoth undertaking and I think that it should have been better thought through and more time, advice and warnings given.” In addition 100,000 viewers in the Southampton, Gosport and Portsmouth areas and parts of the Isle of Wight who receive analogue TV from the Fawley transmitter will not be able to watch Channel Five on analogue TV.
Mike Hancock said: “There is help available for those on low incomes to purchase digital boxes and I would urge those who qualify to investigate this. Many people though will be annoyed and confused as to why they are not able to watch their favourite soaps like Neighbours or Home and Away anymore.”
The Digital UK helpline is 0845 845 0231. A top tip is that if a password number is needed to retune, the default number is often 0000 or 1234. Satellite and Cable viewers are not affected by the change.
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