TV viewers in Perth could be missing out on a whole host of channels, despite the switch to digital services.
As The Courier reported at the weekend, viewers tuned in to the regional transmitter on Craigie Hill are receiving a limited service compared to those who are connected to the main Angus one.
The difference came to light after Perth City North councillor John Flynn realised something was amiss when he tuned in a friend’s television and noticed that they had considerably more channels.
He contacted The Courier to highlight the issue, as he was concerned that licence fee payers were being “short-changed.”
“The difference in channels is phenomenal,” he said. “Those using the Tealing transmitter are getting about twice as many channels as the people using the Perth one. We are all paying the same licence fee, so I don’t know why we are not getting the same service.”
The Courier got in touch with Digital UK, who confirmed there was a difference in services being provided by each transmitter.
Because there is not enough capacity for all channels to be broadcast from all transmitters, regional ones don’t carry any extra commercial services. This means that people in Perth only get 15 channels, while those using the major Angus transmitter receive all 40 available on Freeview.
Publicity manager Joe Smithies also gave assurances that licence fee payers are not missing out on any channels they have helped to fund.
He said, “Relay transmitters across the UK don’t carry extra commercial services but viewers can still get them without subscription on Freesat.
“There isn’t enough capacity to allow all channels to be broadcast from all transmitters, and broadcasters of channels which don’t have a public service remit aren’t obliged to make them available everywhere. But licence fee payers can be assured that every service funded by the TV licence is broadcast from every transmitter.”
However, this has failed to placate Mr Flynn. He described the explanation as “not good enough” and vowed to get in touch with his MP and MSP to demand a more satisfactory answer.
He added, “I think they should be looking to upgrade the transmitter so that everybody is getting the same service. I don’t think a lot of people in Perth will be happy once they realise the truth.”