Freeview users vent anger after boxes go blank

by Daniel Farey-Jones, Brand Republic 14-Aug-08, 08:55

LONDON - Freeview has been hit by a wave of complaints and negative press after a signal upgrade over the past month left around 230,000 boxes obsolete.

The boxes account for 1% of the 23m Freeview boxes in homes and were made by Daewoo, Labgear, Portland, Triax and Bush. They were not designed to work through the digital switchover.

Scott Purdom, commercial manager at Daewoo, said: "The two boxes from Daewoo that were affected were made before the digital tick logo that set a standard for digital TV."

Freeview has been criticised by those affected for not warning them about the upgrade.

Some left messages on internet forums including Janet Richardson, who wrote: "I am angry about the lack of publicity and consultation about this change which affects so many people."

Freeview claims it did try to give advance notice by sending press releases to local newspapers.

It said it had received only 1,200 complaints and that prices of new boxes were now as low as £20.