IT is being billed as the biggest shake-up in television since colour was introduced in the late 1960s.

The countdown is now under way to the digital TV switchover in Hampshire.

There are just 12 days to go until the first analogue channel is permanently turned off at the Rowbridge transmitter on March 7.

Viewers are being warned that if they don’t prepare their sets in time for the switchover they could miss their favourite shows.

The move will see analogue signals replaced with new digital services.

Viewers will still be able to tune in to the five terrestrial channels, but will also have access to another 50 stations through Freeview.

Digital UK, the independent body in charge of the process, says nine out of ten homes in the region have already gone digital on their main set.

Virtually any TV set can be converted using a digital box, available in most electrical stores for £20.

The switchover will take place in two stages with BBC2 being turned off in the early hours of March 7, and the remaining channels on March 21.

The Switchover Help Scheme is available to people over the age of 75, eligible for certain disability benefits, registered blind or partially sighted or living in care homes.

For a £40 fee they will be given the equipment and help in converting one TV per household to digital. Everyone eligible will be contacted before the switchover.

Switchover Advice

To make sure viewers of Freeview, Top Up TV and BT Vision have their TV’s set up correctly, the Daily Echo has put together a step-by-step guide to retuning their equipment.

Here’s how:

• Press menu on your remote control.

Elect ‘set up’ or ‘installation’. If you see an icon, select the tool box, satellite dish or spanner.

• Select the ‘full retune’ option. Do not select ‘channel update’ or ‘add channels’.

• Press ‘ok’ if your system asks you to delete all channels.

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