Temporary transmitter helicoptered in to fix Bilsdale signal problems

Specialist helicopter crews have delivered vital infrastructure for the new temporary mast at Bilsdale which will restore TV signal to more than 90% of Freeview recipients in the mast coverage area.

The region has experienced ongoing problems with signal from the transmitter since August when a fire broke out.

Television and radio broadcasting has been interrupted for thousands of residents. It is hoped the temporary mast will be in operation by 5 October.

The helicopter will make 230 drop offs before every element for the 80-metre transmitter is on site. The specialist copter team will then assemble the structure, lifting sections individually that will be secured in place by specialist riggers.

Arqiva, the company that operates the mast, says the work should be complete and signal should be restored for over 90% of viewers by lunchtime on Tuesday 5 October.

The operator has confirmed that it made 20 of its engineers redundant last year. However, Chief of Operations Adrian Twyning says their workforce of 1400 has not felt the impact of these job cuts.

Age UK has expressed its concern for elderly residents left without the company of television or radio, and locals are feeling the frustration too.

Wolfgang Barth owns the Buck Inn in Chop Gate, the village just below the transmitter. He says, "We as a whole, as a valley, have been short changed ever since. The problem is London, as soon as you go past Luton this is where England for them ends. The rest is a grey zone and we up here in the North East have always had the short stick."

Arqiva reiterates its apology to those affected by the fire and ongoing problems since.

Bilsdale signal advice

Freeview have suggested that those still without signal take the following steps:

  • "We advise all viewers who are struggling to pick up a signal on their TV to try an automatic retune (even if this has happened recently). You can learn how to do this with our retune videos.  Area-specific information is below.

Bilsdale advice if you live...

South of Bilsdale (including in and around northern parts of York, Harrogate, Pickering, Ripon and Masham)

You may receive some channels from the new transmitter at Sutton Bank.  If you haven’t retuned since the fire, you may see some channels restored automatically.  If you don’t see any channels, please try an automatic retune. 

If you retuned before 7th September and you have intermittent reception, we recommend you carry out another automatic retune as the signal from Sutton Bank may well be stronger. 

If an automatic retune does not restore any channels unfortunately it is unlikely that you will be able to receive a signal until further transmitter work is completed. 

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North-west of Bilsdale (including in and around Darlington, Barnard Castle, Richmond, Catterick and Leyburn)

If you do not have any channels, we recommend you carry out an automatic retune.

Some viewers who retuned since the fire and had some channel restored may find that they have recently lost them.  If this is the case, please carry out another automatic retune.

If an automatic retune does not restore any channels unfortunately it is unlikely that you will be able to receive a signal until further transmitter work is completed. 

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North of Bilsdale (including in and around Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar, and Stockton)

If you do not have any channels, we recommend you carry out an automatic retune. 

On 2nd September, more channels were restored to some viewers in these areas. Coverage is limited but if you’ve not retuned since 2nd September, we recommend that you do so to ensure that you have as many channels available to you as possible. 

If an automatic retune does not restore any channels unfortunately it is unlikely that you will be able to receive a signal until further transmitter work is completed. 

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If you take your signal from any of Bilsdale’s relays (see list below)

  • Whitby, Bainbridge, Grinton Lodge, Guisborough, Ravenscar, Limber Hill, Skinningrove, Romaldkirk, West Burton, Aislaby, Castleton, Rookhope, Rosedale Abbey  ane Peterlee 

  • You should have seen channels restored. If you haven’t please run an automatic retune.   

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  • "If an automatic retune does not restore any channels - irrespective of whether you live in the areas mentioned above - unfortunately it is unlikely that you will be able to receive a signal until further transmitter work is completed."

What should I do if I can’t get Freeview reception and don’t want to wait for the Bilsdale temporary transmitter?

1. Find out whether repositioning your aerial could restore some channels 

Repositioning your aerial so that it takes a signal from a different transmitter may be an option for some viewers who wish to attempt to get some signal back in the short term. However, there's no guarantee that another transmitter is available (reception is highly dependent on several factors such as local geography between you and the transmitter), and the signal quality might be variable..

If you choose to have your aerial repositioned - which should only be carried out by a professional and experienced installer - you may wish to then have it repositioned again when service from Bilsdale is restored. Please do not attempt this yourself. Look for a local accredited installer at:

2. Stay watching TV for free with Freesat 

If you have an existing satellite dish at your home, or wish to get one installed, see Freesat’s guide to switching to see whether watching free TV through them might be for you.