Digital TV channel fears raised

Mr Moore has raised concerns about the service being offered

A Borders MP has handed to the UK Government a petition raising concerns about the digital television service being offered to the region.

The area will be the first in Scotland to switch over from the analogue signal later this year.

Lib Dem MP Michael Moore claimed homes served by relay transmitters would miss out on channels.

Digital UK said the switchover would ensure everyone had access to more channels than at present.

The Selkirk main transmitter and its relays will move to digital on 6 November.

Mr Moore started his petition over fears some people would be left with a service he branded "freeview-lite".

Homes served by the main transmitter will have access to a range of commercial channels which will not be available from relay transmitters.

Digital UK stressed those homes would still have access to all public service broadcasters.

'Two-tier' system

About 2,500 people signed Mr Moore's petition, which has urged the UK government to review the impact of the switchover.

The Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk MP claimed the region was being offered a two-tier system, with some homes getting about 20 channels and others receiving nearly double that number.

The allegation has been consistently denied by Digital UK, which said the system would only be two-tier if the switchover did not go ahead.

At present, the organisation pointed out, people in the Borders paid the same licence fee for four channels as others across the country who had access to more than 20.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version