Kent is bracing itself for the big digital switch

Viewers will have to switch to digital services from midnight

Terrestrial television signal is to be switched off at midnight tonight, and viewers are being warned they will lose all programming if they haven’t switched to digital.

The transmitters at Dover and Bluebell Hill will be switched off permanently tonight and Kent will no longer be able to watch channels on a non-digital television.

Signal will now have to be received by a Freeview box or other satellite, cable and digital services available.

The switchover has been staggered to reduce potential disruption and allow people enough time to switch from terrestrial before the switch-off.

Existing Freeview viewers will have to re-tune their boxes after tonight to ensure they can continue in watching their favourite programmes.

Help is still available to people aged 75 or over, those eligible for disability benefits, the registered blind or those living in care homes – although they should have already been contacted.

However, more information about the Switchover Help Scheme is available on 0800 45 85 900, or just read our guide below.

What you need to do if you haven’t already gone digital:

-You need to consider how many TVs you have and how many you want after switchover – you will not be able to watch television on any you choose not to convert after switchover.

-Almost any TV can be converted with a digital box, even a black and white one so there is no need to buy a new TV.

-Most digital boxes connect to a TV using a SCART cable. If you do not have a SCART socket on the back of your TV you will need to ask for a digital box with a built in RF modulator.

-If you do decide to get a new TV, make sure it carries the ‘digital tick’. The ‘digital tick’ means that it is designed to continue working after the switchover.

-If you like to record, you should consider converting your TV with a digital TV recorder that will allow you to record one channel while you watch another as well as pause live TV

How to re-tune your existing Freeview, Top-Up TV or BT Vision equipment:

-Make sure your Freeview TV or box is on and in digital mode. Press ‘menu’ on your remote control.

-Select ‘set up’ or ‘installation’. If you see picture icons, select the tool box, satellite dish or spanner.

-If you are prompted for a code, try 0000 or 1234.

-Select the full re-tune option. This is sometimes called ‘first time installation’, ‘factory reset’, ‘default settings’ or ‘shipping conditions’. Do not select ‘channel update’ or ‘add channels’.

-Press ‘OK’ if your equipment asks if you want to delete all your channels, don’t worry this is normal.

-Channels will automatically be installed. This may take a few minutes and your equipment may shut down and restart.