Work is continuing on Bilsdale Transmitter.
- 80 metre temporary mast to be operational by 28 August 2021
- Geographical reach of the temporary transmitter is not currently known
- There will be homes that the temporary transmitter will not reach, and will remain without service until return of full service
- Cause of the fire hasn’t been published
- Return to full service date is yet to be published
A spokesperson for Arqiva said:
Later today we expect to return digital radio services from SDL and D1 from Eston Nab, providing digital radio on those multiplexes for much of Middlesbrough, Stockton-on-Tees and the coast to Hartlepool.
We continue to be in constant dialogue with all our broadcaster customers, Freeview and our regulator Ofcom regarding our plans, and updating MPs to keep them informed.
As per our previous update, we now expect to have completed the improvement of TV coverage from Eston Nab, and also the installation of a further 15m mast at a site in Arncliffe Wood by the weekend.
These two developments should deliver a significant improvement in TV coverage for viewers in the areas including Darlington, Stockton, Catterick, Leyburn, Masham and Ripon. We will update viewers on any action they need to take with further updates later this week.
Work on phase 2 of the recovery plan continues. We still anticipate the temporary mast to be effective by 28 August and are currently awaiting the arrival of the 250 tonnes of concrete blocks that will make sure the 80-metre temporary mast remains in place once it is raised.
What about Harrogate??
Some areas of Harrogate get a good signal from Emley Moor, but it depends on terrain.
Enter your postcode here https://www.freeview.co.uk/corporate/detailed-transmitter-information.
Also consider getting your TV by internet connection.
Well that link is totally useless.
Howl long will it take for me to get back reception in Selby.
Co Durham (DL15) doesn’t even seem to appear on any updates and we are still without signal!!!
We live in Durham and have no signal either the way things are going we wont get TV till xmas
If you live in Durham you are much nearer to the Pontop Pike transmitter than Bilsdale , have you considered having your aerial turned and retuning to that ?
It would require a professional to “turn” the outdoor aerial, at a huge cost too.
We live in Brandon ,Durham. Still no signal, could you please include this area in your updates. (Are we likely to be one of the places not to have a signal after 28 the August) Thank you
It seems like Co. Durham has been wiped off the map, as there has never been anything mentioned about this area, I’m sure I’m not the only one that would like to know.
We haven’t got a signal in Washington Tyne and Wear no has mentioned us either
What about Bilton In Harrogate as residents don’t have Freeview either
I’m with you Jean Devereux. I live in Barnard Castle Co.Durham and can’ find any information as to when we will be reconnected. I am viewing programs through my Amazon Fire tablet. Not ideal but better than no TV at all.
It would be good to see Co.Durham residents included in updates. After all we are affected Freeview users too. In
I’m with you Jean Devereux. I live in Barnard Castle Co.Durham and can’ find any information as to when we will be reconnected. I am viewing programs through my Amazon Fire tablet. Not ideal but better than no TV at all.
It would be good to see Co.Durham residents included in updates. After all we are affected Freeview users too. In
RIPON stil waiting. Do we get refund on tv licence. For the month. Thank God for libarys. Plenty of reading.
what i want to watch i can get on my laptop. let’s face it, there is so much crap on tv now. all these channels and nothing worth watching on most of them. reality shows. police, bailiffs, sewage etc. i have learned to live without them. total dross. if bilsdale never worked again i wouldn’t be sorry. tv turns us into zombies.
I can’t see reception improving any time soon here in iEast Torkshire, 40 miles from the mast. As there is no aternative, I approached the BBC who weren’t prepared to give me an extension on my licence, telling me to use iplayer instead. That’s not an option because I live in a remote area and the broadband is poor. Being without TV has made me realise how little TV I watch, so I have cancelled my licence. I’ll use the £13 a month to buy some good books. Bye bye rubbish TV.
Arqiva keep re-enforcing in their annual report and here (https://www.arqiva.com/media/tv/tv-transmission) about the resilience in their networks and about their disaster recovery preparedness. All I can say is ‘smoke and mirrors’ rather than ‘smoke and continued service’ !!!
I hope the regulator reviews their Business Continuity arrangements and acts appropriately.
You’re aware an entire 200+ foot mast has burnt aren’t you? I don’t think they were they were prepared for such an event.
Reckon they are milking it for all it is worth. No signals since week gone Tuesday.
Spot on Mick,’milking it’ is what they are doing
No amount of whinging is going to make this any faster, so let’s just hope for some good news on the 28th.
Hear! Hear! Rachel
What about York
Darlington resident; DL3; certainly not enamoured with the lack of inclusion and updates for this area; we can deal with bad news but no news we can’t. Please include this area within any updates and hope for a speedy resolve – empathise with the technical constraints but surely in this day and age of technological knowledge/ ability I fail to understand why it’s taking so long to resume even a half decent service for its customers?
There is always Freesat which I have connected to an old Sky dish and is working well, it cost me £45 for the Freesat box. Living in York in the shadow of Terry’s it was the only option because I can’t see a temporary transmitter reaching here.
anynews on thirsk area please?
I live in filey north Yorkshire coast still no tv when will we receive a full signal
Hear! Hear! Rachel
What about Northallerton don’t get any info been with out TV for ages ….
To add insult to injury I received my TV licence a week ago, £164 and like everyone in County Durham it looks like we may be without a signal well after 28th August. It is upsetting for the old people in the area who rely on their TVs not only for news and programmes but for company.
Arqiva are the company responsible for the transmission via the transmitter. Depending on your area and location they are working on erecting a temporary secondary mast and a transmission unit that should give SOME channels and reception to SOMEA areas, updates are available on their website. Certain areas are tricky to reach and there’s also been issues on the actual site where the fire occurred due to it being an area of natural preservation. In regards to TV licence and refunds, the BBC can’t and won’t do much as it’s not their issue, out of their control, I’d be surprised if any statement regarding licencing is released, especially as it effects all media networks, not just the BBC.
Hi I live in Durham and called an aerial man who erected a new aerial (which I needed) and he pointed it to Pontoc Pike my TV works fine and the cost was under £100 well worth it to me