The government's staggered switchover plan breaks the UK down into regions, which follow the same lines as today's ITV regions, i.e. Meridian and Granada. So if you know what ITV service you currently receive, you can use the updated timetable below to see when the analogue TV signals in your region will be switched off.

2008 - Border
2009 - HTV Wales, West Country, Granada
2010 - Grampian, HTV West, Scottish TV
2011 - Anglia, Central, Yorkshire
2012 - Carlton/LWT, Meridian, Tyne Tees, Ulster

The bottom line is this: if you haven't upgraded your TVs to receive free-to-air digital broadcasts (Freeview) or subscribed to a suitable pay TV operator (Sky, Telewest, NTL, etc.) then you won't be able watch TV.

*Digital Home Magazine*

Does tv licence still apply then?

Yes that's right Roxy, Granada tv is our region - oh well at least we have 3 years

Yes, we still will require tv licences.

Oh thanks Roxy - that's a relief then cos my telly is only about 2 years old.

I wonder if they will start charging for Freeview when this happens then - cos can't see them letting us have it for free or else everyone would do this rather than buying new televisions wouldn't they?

Well thats not fair? I cant even remember the last time i watched the bbc's?

No it isn't and I heard they were going to go up a lot to pay for it

No if I lived on my own without kids then I wouldn't even bother with a telly - I wish they could make it so you only receive ITV 1,2 and whatever and Channel 4 and 5 because I wonder how many people would pay for licences then - thats why they won't do it I reckon cos the BBC is that rubbish no one would bother

Hmm so i pay £300 for the box £45 per month for sky and £21.95 per month for my TV licence... THATS BL**DY RIDICULOUS!