The Situation in Dorset

Television: 

Following submissions by OFCOM, the broadcasting watchdog, the Government has now announced that existing analogue television channels will start to be switched off in 2008, with “West Country” going over to digital between April and September in 2009. However, as we in Dorset have to receive signals from at least three different transmitters depending on where we live, i.e. West Country (2009), Bristol (2010) and Meridian (1012), Dorset itself will be switched over in three different stages (years)! What a mess! We also learnt that SwitchCo, a new organisation, which had taken over the task of managing the switchover to digital for the government, has changed its name to Digital UK (see useful links for their contact details).

At switchover, we understand the intention is to increase the transmitter power of the digital (Freeview) transmitters, which will (we are told), ensure the signals reach everyone in the area who presently receive analogue terrestrial TV. But the power is not likely to go up to that used by the present analogue system because of potential interference with other TV channels. However, OFCOM has indicated that the new digital terrestrial transmissions will be “more efficient”, thus needing less power to reach the parts that..…..!? Ofcom also stated that local relay transmitters will be converted to digital after all. This is very significant and should mean coverage will be considerably improved.
 

The one problem is, we understand, that in the interim of switching over the various regions, the Stockland Hill transmitter (Honiton) will not go straight to the new “full” power because it could interfere with the Rowridge (Isle of Wight) analogue transmitter. So this means that residents who rely on this transmitter may not get the full benefit until 2012!

However, as indications are from the DorBAG survey that over 20% of people still have problems receiving analogue transmissions satisfactorily, we were not at all clear whether they will be able to receive digital at switchover. Hence, DorBAG has been working with the BBC on this area to see what can be done to rectify the present analogue TV reception problems, as a result of which the BBC agreed to conduct a survey to establish the true situation. Their comprehensive report has been published and shows that many problems are down to old or poor aerial/cable installations, use of loft aerials which halve the signal received, or aerials aligned to the wrong transmitter. The report includes a range of very useful examples and tips which we recommend are studied.

Radio: 

The BBC has stated that they had no plans to do anything to improve national FM radio. The focus is now on the development of the new digital radio (DAB), even though final switchover to DAB will be some years later (date not yet announced). So there is no rush to buy DAB. However, there have been some concerns over the future of DAB as some broadcasters are pulling out due to low numbers of listeners...and hence the advertisers are pulling out.  In addition, according to our research, a large number of residents already have problems receiving FM, let alone DAB. We have raised this issue with the broadcasting authorities and received Ofcom’s response describing the coverage issues. The good news was that the BBC was planning to introduce a local FM Dorset radio station (until it was cancelled at the last moment). However, there are no plans to do anything to improve present national FM reception! Note comments about the need for external aerials to optimise your reception! It seems a good new external aerial can make a big difference! But please note that not all channels are yet on DAB in parts of Dorset – the BBC needs access to more multiplexes and they have to be provided by commercial broadcasters!

As you know, to receive DAB everywhere, you will need to buy new radio sets, including Hi-Fi, car radio and all the sets in the home - including bedside alarm radios! And, to ensure a good signal, we learn that as for FM, many, if not many of us, will need to have a new external terrestrial DAB aerial in order to get a decent signal (well for most places – some might still have problems, even then). This means, if you are buying DAB, you should consider making sure it has an external aerial socket! Fortunately, as already discussed, switchover to DAB is still some way off, but we will eventually be forced (yet again!) to replace all our sets, or only be able to listen to those radio channels that are available on Freeview or the newly announced Freesat.

BBC Dorset Web Site     (www.bbc.co.uk/dorset) 

Some good news for surfers – the BBC finally got around to giving Dorset its own web site with news, weather, web cams etc. plus, you can listen to Radio Solent, or watch any of the three TV news channels that feed Dorset over the Internet. The BBC has announced it is going to add short local news items on the web site for Dorset. However, we have emphasised this, while a welcome addition, is no substitute for dedicated news for Dorset as a county. Most people still watch the TV for news, (not the internet, although we acknowledge this is the way things are going but relying on terrestrial TV news will continue to be the case for many years to come). So we still want the BBC to dedicate terrestrial TV news to Dorset rather than simply adding material to BBC South, Points West or Spotlight for the obvious reasons outlined below. So, while the web site is welcome and useful for those with computers, it does not solve our present problems with radio or terrestrial TV.

Local programme content for Dorset South/West Dorset:

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