Westcountry help scheme chooses Freeview

The Switchover Help Scheme in the Westcountry has selected Freeview as it's preferred partner in helping the population to convert to digital television. They will help to provide set-top boxes, aerial installations and technical assistance to the elderly, disabled and disadvantaged. Sky, who were chosen to assist those in the Border region and who have faced criticism for marketing subscription services to some of the most vulnerable, chose not to bid for the rights this time around. They claim this due to the "geographical challenges of West Country... [which] make it difficult to meet many of the criteria of the standard offer (e.g. service visits within 24-hours)". The Westcountry region begins to switch in April 2009.