Digital switchover explained Will I need a new TV aerial?
Many people worry that they'll need to pay for a new TV aerial to receive Freeview TV after the switchover, but for most people their current aerial will be up to the job.
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 who's highly rated by Which? members.
Who will need a new TV aerial?
Only those who want to get their digital TV service via Freeview may need a new aerial. If you want to watch TV via a Virgin Media cable TV service or a satellite TV service such as Freesat or Sky, you won't need one.
Which? Local can help you find a reputable aerial installer
Regulator Ofcom estimates that only 5-10% of homes will need a new TV aerial to receive Freeview after the switch to digital.
If you currently receive a good Freeview signal, your existing TV aerial should still work afterwards. Even if you can't pick up a Freeview signal right now, don't assume you'll need to buy a new aerial.
The current Freeview signal is too weak in some areas of the UK for TV aerials to pick it up. The digital switchover will strengthen the Freeview signal so that after the switch, many households will be able to watch Freeview for the first time without having to buy a new aerial.
Test whether your aerial will work after the 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 be done only on analogue TV, not digital TV. You should wait until six months before your region is due to start switching 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, rather than what it's like currently.
Why you might need a new TV aerial
There are no specific regions that will need a new TV aerial after the 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, such as rusting or weather damage. If you suspect this, contact a 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.
- channels switch frequency and your aerial doesn’t pick up that frequency. A minority of households may find the channels they receive now may switch frequency during the digital switchover. If you don’t have a wide-band aerial that covers virtually all frequencies, your aerial may not pick up those channels. Digital UK is advising which areas will be affected by this as each TV region approaches the switchover. But Digital UK says to wait until the switch has happened before getting a new TV aerial, as the chances are your current one will be fine.
Some people will see an improvement in picture quality with digital TV. But if you have a good analogue TV picture, there's a risk that digital TV might look worse because it compresses images and electronically removes details that it thinks you won't notice.
Some people have written to us regarding interference to their Freeview TV signal causing pictures to break up, sometimes making programmes unwatchable. Mobile phones, heavy rain and even passing traffic affect digital TV reception, according to those who have contacted us.
The quality of the digital signal should improve when the analogue signal is switched off. But until then, digital TV signals in some areas will be weak and patchy. For some, this can be solved with a better rooftop TV aerial.
TV aerial costs and installation
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 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, so shop around, getting at least three quotes before you settle for one.
If you do need a new TV aerial to receive digital TV, follow these Which? tips to make sure you find a reputable installer:
- Check Which? Local – a free service for Which? members – 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’ or 'Freeview aerials' – there are no such things.
- Watch out for any TV aerial installer that tries to get you to agree to work before they've come out and viewed your home and your TV aerial.
When we mystery shopped aerial installers in the Granada TV region, we found that those who were recommended on Which? Local or approved by the CAI or RDI-LB all gave good advice on whether we'd need a new aerial after digital switchover.
To find out more about the equipment you need for digital TV switchover, visit our page of digital switchover frequently asked questions.