Switch Over Night
On 18 April 2012 we’re celebrating the historic switch from analogue to digital TV services in London with a spectacular lightshow at the iconic Crystal Palace broadcast tower.
200,000 watts – 7.5 billion candlepower – of energy-efficient lighting, the same wattage used to light the Eiffel Tower in Paris, will illuminate the 219 metre tall structure.
Visible across London, the explosion of light will culminate with a beam of light shooting up the tower and all over London, representing the invisible digital TV signals.
We're installing more than 6 tonnes of lighting equipment on the tower in readiness for switchover at 9.15pm on 18 April. The 7000 watt, billion candlepower search lights that will beam out across London weigh 100 kilos alone and are being installed 130 metres above the ground by a team of 20 riggers
In addition to the public lighting display, we’re hosting a special VIP event at the foot of the tower to mark the switchover. Hosted by Chris Evans, the event will feature a rare appearance from Sir David Attenborough, who is celebrating his 60th year in broadcasting and will talk about the evolution of broadcasting during his lifetime.
Chris Evans, TV presenter and BBC Radio 2 DJ, said:
‘2012 is set to be a truly incredible year for Britain. Everyone knows about the Olympics and the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee but this year also sees the completion of the largest broadcast engineering project ever seen in the UK. The switchover to digital TV is a momentous step for the broadcast industry. It’s part of enabling a Digital Britain and gives everyone a greater choice of TV programmes than they’ve ever had before. The Crystal Palace transmitter is an iconic landmark. Lighting it up is a fitting tribute to the success of public service broadcasting over the last 75 years and a celebration I’m proud to be part of.’
Developments of the London Switch Over night celebrations can be followed via our Switch Over Night blog, FaceBook page and on Twitter (@switchovernight).
We're also offering two lucky people the chance to win a memorable helicopter flight across London and the Crystal Palace site, by entering our Twitter prize draw (t&c's apply).
