We're taking random areas of the UK to see what the options are like for TV after the digital tv switchover, both the channel availability for Freeview and the availability of Sky, Virgin Media and BT Broadband/BT Vision services.
The Kilvey Hill Transmitter
The Kilvey Hill transmitter switched to digital in two stages on 12th August and 9th September 2009, making Swansea the first city in Wales to complete the switchover to digital TV. It's estimated by Digital UK that 63% of households in the Wales TV region could receive digital TV through an aerial pre-switchover, and this is predicted to rise to 98% able to receive around 17 channels after switchover is complete and 73% able to receive more than that. The Kilvey Hill transmitter has 10 relays and covers around 120,000 households.
Our three random postcodes in Swansea are SA1 6EJ, SA6 7EP in Morriston and SA10 7HU in Neath, and when we tried these in the Digital UK postcode checker for methods of reception we found them very similar. For a one off payment you have Freeview, Freesat and Freesat from Sky and available subscription services are Top Up TV, BT Vision, Sky and Virgin Media except for Neath where Top Up TV is not available. The other difference between the Neath postcode and the other two is the amount of Freeview channels available - details below. These are the results we got using the BT, Virgin Media and Sky postcode checkers.
BT
In the BT postcode checker the message was the same for all three of our test postcodes.
For all 3 postcodes we got;
"We've just tested your line and can confirm your line supports the UK's most complete broadband package, BT Total Broadband. We estimate your maximum connection speed to be up to 5.5 Mbps (Megabits per second).
The actual speed you get could be lower and is dependent on several factors such as whether you have any internal home wiring, our network management policy and the number of people using the Internet at the same time. Speeds are generally lower in the evening at peak times.
What does this mean? BT broadband is available to you and will be fast enough to be able to use BT Vision - you need a broadband speed that averages at least 2Mbps to use BT Vision. It's advisable to check your own postcode to get your particular line speed.
Virgin Media
The general rule with cable services like Virgin is you are likely to be able to get it in built-up areas and less likely in rural areas, so with Virgin Media more than any other service we recommend checking your own postcode here - it can vary from street to street.
All 3 postcodes returned the same message -
"Because you're in a fibre optic cable area, you can get all this.
Sky
We got the same result for all 3 postcodes from Sky too;
"Based on the postcode you have entered, there is a good indication that Sky Broadband Connect is available in your area. Fast download speeds of up to 8Mb and a massive monthly usage allowance of 40GB can be yours now with Sky Broadband Connect. Please note: broadband speeds vary with location and line quality. In order to join Sky Broadband you will need an active BT compatible phone line. Sky Broadband is exclusively available to Sky TV customers."
What does this mean? It means all of the Sky satellite TV services are available to these postcodes.
Freeview Channel Availability
Our three postcodes varied on Freeview results only in the amount of channels available - the SA1 and Morriston addresses can receive 47 channels at good reception but only 16 are available in Neath.
Here are the 47 channels;
Free Channels Available
Subscription Channels Available
The Neath postcode we checked has no Top Up TV and fewer free channels too. Here are the 16 channels available in Neath;
More information on retuning can be found here, and for information on aerial upgrades see our Digital Aerials page.
Price Comparison
So if you want to go for more than just the Freeview channels and the availablity results from Sky, Virgin and BT are very similar, how do the prices compare? Let's look at the set-up cost, the monthly fee and the channels you get with the basic TV package with any compulsory broadband from each company (all correct at time of writing). The Sky and BT packages come with broadband as standard, and although you can get a TV and phone only package from Virgin Media for £16.50 a month with a standard £30 set-up fee we've looked instead at their cheapest triple package as it's a more like-for-like comparison.
Set-Up Cost
Monthly Fee
Included Broadband
Channels available
The map below shows the 14 TV areas of the UK and which year each area is expecting to switch off the analogue TV signal.
The main government website for the switchover is Digital UK, and there are many specialist help areas too, such as information on the Digital Switchover Help Scheme which can provide free installation and equipment to people over 75 and those with certain disabilities.
