Some people in the Harrogate district may have to retune their TVs again after another interim mast at Bilsdale was activated.
Fire wrecked the original mast six months ago, causing loss of service to 500,000 homes in Yorkshire and the north-east. Many people in the Harrogate district were affected, particularly around Ripon.
Yesterday, a second temporary mast was switched on. Arqiva, which owns the mast, said the new 80-metre mast will improve the TV signal and be more robust in bad weather.
Paul Donovan, chief executive of Arqiva, said:
“The switchover to this new mast is another important step in the huge project to restore full TV services to people across the region. Our teams have worked extremely hard in challenging conditions to complete it.
“We’re sorry for the disruption which the fire has caused, and we remain fully committed to providing help and advice to those who are affected, and especially the most vulnerable members of our communities.”
Planning permission has been approved for a new 300-metre mast at Bilsdale, which will replace the original one lost in the fire.
Mr Donovan said work on the new mast should be complete by the end of spring 2023.
Last summer’s fire left some homes without a signal for weeks. In October the first temporary mast was erected.
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How to retune
Arqiva said homes likely to have been affected by yesterday’s switchover are those relying on Freeview services. It added it had contacted residents with instructions on how to retune their TVs.
If you notice a change in your TV reception, Arqiva recommends the following:
- Retune your TV. For most TVs you can press ‘OK’ or retune when prompted
- If your TV doesn’t automatically retune, or if you find retuning difficult, click here or call 0800 121 4828
- If, after a retune, you are still missing channels, then please call the helpline number above