TV aerials will not be removed by force in Malta once the digital switchover comes into effect next year, it has been revealed.TV aerials that will not be able to pick up the new digital signals will now be removed only at the discretion of the homeowner, admitted a spokesperson for The Malta Communications Authority.
Consumer Electronics
Digital TV aerials for the Scottish switchover
Analogue TV aerials will not be of much use in Scotland in a few months time when the country switches to using digital TV aerials and receivers.
Digital TV aerials and receivers will pick up better quality digital channels in around six months when Scotland launches its own digital switchover.
Digital TV aerials hit the Channel Islands
Digital TV aerials will now be needed in the Channel Islands to watch television as the digital switchover has reached the islands.
TV aerials that had previously provided the islands with four analogue channels were switched off earlier this week as the island followed suit from the rest of the United Kingdom as it gets set to go digital.
Now, digital TV aerials and Freeview or sky boxes will be able to pick up stronger and better quality digital television. There will also be more channels on offer as well as radio stations and interactive services such as the popular “press the red button” service.
Those living on the island were reminded to tune in their Freeview boxes or Freeview enabled televisions in order to start receiving the digital channels that are now available.
Speaking to the BBC, Bill Taylor from Digital UK said that so far the switchover process had gone according to plan.
He said: “ Islanders have taken switchover in their stride.
“I would just like to say thank you to the islanders of Guernsey, Alderney and Sark for helping to make switchover so smooth.”
Over the next few years the whole of the country will be switching from analogue television to digital. This is due to be completed by 2013 and is being completed in different stages in order to minimise any disruption to normal services.
Regardless of whether the area a viewer lives has already gone digital or not- anyone can choose to go digital now by buying a Freeview box which also offers a number of additional channels such as BBC3 and Film Four.
It is possible that the viewer’s television may already be digitally enabled so they will not have to buy an additional digital box. For everyone however, the channels will still be received through a digital aerial or satellite dish.