Bilsdale temporary mast going live on October 13  but disruption expected on October 12

Viewers have been warned to expect disruption as final tests are carried out on a temporary TV transmitter.
Watch more of our videos on Shots! 
and live on Freeview channel 276
Visit Shots! now

“Large-scale” engineering work will take place on Tuesday, October 12, to test the new Bilsdale transmitter before it goes live on Wednesday, October 13.

The structure is expected to restore Freeview TV services to more than 90% of households across the area.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The new mast was built after a fire back in August left the original Bilsdale mast “beyond repair”.

Freeview has said TV signal might be disrupted on Tuesday while final tests are carried out on the temporary mast at Bilsdale. /Photo: Daniel Law/PA WireFreeview has said TV signal might be disrupted on Tuesday while final tests are carried out on the temporary mast at Bilsdale. /Photo: Daniel Law/PA Wire
Freeview has said TV signal might be disrupted on Tuesday while final tests are carried out on the temporary mast at Bilsdale. /Photo: Daniel Law/PA Wire

Households in Hartlepool are among those to have suffered disruption to their television reception since.

If Tuesday’s tests are successful, the temporary transmitter will be switched on Wednesday.

Terrestrial television platform provider Freeview has advised people not to retune their TVs during the day tomorrow and added that signal will be restored in the evening.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

In a Monday statement, it said: “With good weather forecast, Arqiva is planning large-scale engineering work to test the new, temporary Bilsdale transmitter tomorrow, Tuesday 12th October.

"The new Bilsdale mast will restore TV signals to thousands of homes across the region.

“If you do currently have a working TV signal, it is very likely you will experience disruption during the day tomorrow.

"It’s important that you don’t retune your TV tomorrow, as a signal will be restored for the evening’s TV viewing.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

"Providing the final tests tomorrow are successful, the new Bilsdale mast will be operational from 6am onwards on Wednesday.

“You should retune your TV set after that point, and information on how to do that is https://www.bilsdalemast.co.uk/retune-instructions/

“We will continue to keep all our viewers up-to-date with the latest news, for more information visit https://www.bilsdalemast.co.uk/

Read More
Watch as 'beyond repair' Bilsdale Mast is demolished in controlled explosions

Support your Mail and become a subscriber today.

Enjoy unlimited access to all of our news and sport, see fewer ads, experience faster load times, test your brain with daily puzzles and get access to exclusive newsletters and content.

The Hartlepool Mail has been in town since 1877, and your support means we can continue telling your stories for generations to come. Click here to subscribe.

Related topics: