One third of UK TVs still analogue

At least 18 million TV sets have still to be converted to digital reception, according to the switchover body Digital UK. The figure represents about 30% of the 60 million sets in use.

The figures also show the “hotspots” where conversion is lagging behind the national average. Areas with the lowest proportion of sets ready for switchover are Yorkshire, Anglia and Northern Scotland (STV North). Yorkshire and STV North viewers in particular are areas where DTT reception is patchy.

“While nearly nine-out-of-ten homes have switched to digital on their main TV, it’s no coincidence that many of the places lagging behind in the conversion of all sets are those where Freeview services are currently patchy,” said Digital UK chief executive David Scott.

The top TV regions for switchover are Tyne Tees (North East), Meridian (South East) and STV Central (Central Scotland). Although Meridian viewers do not always have access to the full selection of DTT channels the area is one of the wealthiest regions in the UK.

The first full-scale switchover begins in the Scottish borders on November 6 and covers 52,000 homes.