Two new relay transmitters will restore Freeview reception to viewers on edge of the Yorkshire Dales, after months of poor signals following the Bilsdale mast fire.
The first of the two new sites built by transmitter operator Arqiva is now live. Viewers in Masham will need to retune their TVs if they have not already done so. Some households will have had the main TV channels restored as a result of the switch on and others will receive a stronger signal.
A second mast, in Leyburn, is expected to go live in the next few days to restore access to the main Freeview channels ahead of Christmas and the New Year.
This follows the recent switch on of masts in Loftus, Thirsk, Ripon and Castleton and a power boost at the upgraded relay mast at Eston Nab.
Masham and Leyburn relays will carry the main Freeview channels only. The two relays plug gaps in coverage that the current 80 metre temporary mast at Bilsdale Quarry can’t fill.
What to do if you still don’t have a Freeview TV signal in the Bilsdale coverage area
Viewers still without a signal in the North Yorkshire, Teesside and County Durham area should contact Arqiva’s Project Restore team on 0800 121 4828. Arqiva is increasing the number of engineers available to provide support to eligible households this week.
Adrian Twyning, Director of Operations at Arqiva, said:
“This relay site at Masham is the latest step in helping to restore TV services to people across the area affected by the Bilsdale Mast fire. More such sites will follow in other locations in the coming weeks. We’re sorry for the disruption which the fire has caused for people, and while we are making progress, there is much work still to do.”