Saorview, Ireland’s free digital television service, has teamed up with community organisations Muintir na Tíre and Macra na Feirme in a bid to alert rural communities to the digital switchover, which is scheduled for 24 October 2012.
Both Muintir na Tíre and Macra na Feirme will use their extensive voluntary networks to communicate with residents in rural areas to ensure they have all the relevant information before the big switch over. Rural communities are most likely to be affected by the Saorview switch, which will see analogue television switched off and digital television switched on.
Both groups have undergone direct training and are armed with toolkits comprising of checklists, leaflets and DVD’s. Over the coming weeks, local information campaigns will be rolled out through Community Alert and Macra volunteer groups.
Meanwhile Saorview has announced two information meetings for aerial installers: Silver Springs Hotel, Cork, on Wednesday 18 April at 2pm and Hodson Bay Hotel, Athlone, on Wednesday 25 April at 2pm.
Skilled installers will be notified of any updates relating to the Saorview technology and installation process, with the aim to give a final briefing before the switchover in six month’s time. Members of the public are invited to attend the meetings also, and can do so by emailing trade@saorview.ie by 5pm 16 April.