The media regulator kept to its recently revealed plan by setting aside four years for the switchover process, between 2008 and 2012.
Beginning with the ITV Border, West Country and HTV Wales regions in 2008, the analogue switch-off will be repeated on a region-by-region basis based on the geographic ITV franchise areas.
The timetable will follow through with Granada, HTV West, Grampian and Scottish TV in 2009; Central, Yorkshire and Anglia in 2010; Meridian, Carlton/LWT, Tynes Tees and Ulster in 2011; and the Channel Islands in 2012.
The BBC, Five and Channel 4 will be expected to switch their transmission with the ITV model.
At present, digital signals reach 73% of all households, but it is not possible to extend these signals without swtching off the analogue transmissions -- hence the reason for digital switchover.
One analogue service will be replaced by a digital multiplex service, which will be broadcast throughout the region with sufficient power to replicate the coverage of the analogue broadcast across the entire region.
The remaining analogue services will continue to broadcast for a few months, giving analogue audiences enough time to take-up digital terrestrial, satellite or cable services.
The government is due to confirm the timetable for switchover later this year.
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