Letters outlining how households can claim a £50 voucher are arriving on doorsteps across selected postcodes in North Yorkshire, Teesside and County Durham.
Transmitter company Arqiva is sending letters out to households it believes live in areas still not served by terrestrial TV services following the Bilsdale transmitter fire on 10th August. It’s part of Arqiva’s “Project Restore” that aims to give affected viewers a TV service.
Following helicopter surveys of the signal from the temporary mast, the company now claims only 16,000 homes are still without a signal.
After initially announcing that it would be launching voucher scheme, the company has shared further information on how it will work:
Recipients of the letters will receive instructions on how to claim the £50 voucher, which can be redeemed at Currys for a streaming device, such as Roku Express HD Streaming Media Player or the Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite. Any money left over from the voucher can be used by the householder as they please. The streaming devices will enable viewers to access on-demand services, plus live streams from selected broadcasters.
All devices require Wi-Fi and suitable broadband internet connection. Households who receive the letters who don’t have a suitable internet connection are invited to call the Bilsdale Project Restore helpline on 0800 121 4828.
Voucher scheme
- How do I apply to become part of the voucher scheme? Arqiva will identify if your postcode is in a not-spot based on its own coverage predictions and is sending letters to all households in those postcode areas.
- How do I get the £50 voucher? If you are in a postcode identified by Arqiva, you will receive a letter with instructions on how to get your voucher.
- Where can I spend the voucher? At Currys. Either in-store or online.
- What can I buy with the voucher? A streaming device such as Roku Express HD or Amazon Fire TV Stick Lite. If you want a more expensive one, you’ll have the pay the difference.
Arqiva have launched an online postcode checker which gives a reception prognosis for viewers in the Bilsdale transmission area. If you are in a variable or no-signal area, you’ll be able to submit your details to Arqiva for further help or assistance. Visit: https://www.bilsdalemast.co.uk/postcode-checker/
Shuja Khan, Chief Commercial Officer at Arqiva, said:
“Although the temporary mast at Bilsdale has restored TV services to the large majority of households in the region, we know there are still those either with no or partial signal. We continue to work round the clock to fill the gaps in coverage with additional towers. However, alongside this we are announcing the latest step in Project Restore today. We will be providing a voucher for those without a signal so they can buy a TV streaming device via Currys.”
RXTV understands many aerial installers in the region continue receive a large number of enquiries from viewers. In some cases, viewers have opted to pay for their own alternative provision. This includes repointing the aerial to an alternative transmitter (where possible) or installing Freesat. Some installers have expressed frustration about Arqiva’s communications to them and that signal surveys done via helicopter may not accurately reflect not-spots on the ground below.