Digital switchover explainedWill I need a new TV aerial?

If you currently receive a good Freeview signal, then your TV aerial should work after digital switchover. If you only want to watch TV via a Virgin Media cable TV service or satellite TV packages like Freesat and Sky, you won't need a TV aerial.

Regulator Ofcom estimates that only 5-10% of homes will need a new TV aerial to receive Freeview after digital switchover.

If you're one of the unlucky few households that need a new aerial, the independent Which? recommendations service Which? Local can help you avoid cowboy tradesmen and pick an aerial installer that's highly rated by Which? members.

Test your aerial signal for digital switchover

Check what your aerial signal will be like with Digital UK’s aerial checker on Teletext/Ceefax page 284.

This test from Digital UK can only be done on analogue TV, not digital TV. You should wait until six months before your region is due to start digital switchover before you carry out the test. The Digital UK aerial checker will tell you what your Freeview signal will be like once your region has switched, not what it’s like currently.

When you might need a new TV aerial

There are no specific regions that will need a new TV aerial after digital switchover, and if your TV aerial is in good condition, it’s likely that it will be fine. But you may need a new TV aerial if:

• Your current TV aerial has suffered general wear and tear like rusting or weather damage. If you suspect this, contact an TV aerial installer registered to the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI) or the Registered Digital Installers Licensing Body (RDI-LB), or one recommended by Which? members on Which? Local.
• If channels switch frequency at switchover and your aerial doesn’t pick up that frequency. A minority of households may find the channels they receive now may switch frequency at digital switchover. If you don’t have a wide-band aerial that covers virtually all frequencies, then your aerial may not pick up those channels. Digital UK is advising which areas will be affected by this as each TV region approaches digital switchover. But Digital UK says to wait until digital switchover has happened before getting a new TV aerial, as chances are your current one will be fine.

Choosing a TV aerial installer

If you do need a new TV aerial to receive digital TV, follow these Which? tips to make sure you find a reputable TV aerial installer:

• Check Which? Local – a free service for Which? members to recommend local traders – for recommended TV aerial installers in your area.
• Look for installers approved by the CAI or the RDI-LB – they have lists of approved TV aerial installers on their websites. 
• Be wary of TV aerial installers that tell you about ‘digital aerials’ and ‘analogue aerials’ – there is no such thing.
• Watch out for any TV aerial installer that tries to get you to agree to work before they have come out and viewed your home and your TV aerial. 

When we mystery shopped aerial installers in the Granada TV region, we found that aerial installers recommended on Which? Local, or which were approved by the CAI or RDI-LB, all gave good advice on whether we'd need a new aerial after digital switchover.

TV aerial costs

Digital UK says a new TV aerial can cost from £60 to £180, plus £45 for an additional socket, but don’t automatically take the first quote you can get. 

In February 2009, we found prices varied across the country from £55 to £215 for a full installation when we called 24 aerial installers recommended on Which? Local, and in some cases prices within a single region varied by more than £100. 

Which? recommends calling around and getting at least three quotes for aerial installation from installers in your local area to be sure of getting the best price.