Lichfield transmitting station

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The Lichfield transmitting station is situated close to Tamworth in Staffordshire in the West Midlands between the A5 and A51. The nearest geographical feature is Hopwas Hill. The station is owned and operated by Arqiva.

1 History
2 Television services and Digital Switch Over
3 Channels listed by Frequency
4 See also
5 External links

[edit] History

The transmitter was the main 405-line ITV transmitter for the Midlands from 1956 until 1985. It includes a 305.2 metre tall guyed mast and was built in 1961.

625-line colour transmitters for the region were all co-sited at the nearby Sutton Coldfield transmitting station until 1997, when Lichfield began broadcasting Channel 5 in the Midlands. At 1000 kW it is the joint most powerful C5 transmitter in the country. Lichfield effectively works in conjunction with Sutton Coldfield (4 miles to the SW) to supply the full five analogue channels. Reception of five from Lichfield is also receivable at viewable quality throughout the borders of North Wales.

[edit] Television services and Digital Switch Over

At present, the only television channel broadcast from the mast is five at 1000 kW ERP. There are currently no plans for the mast to carry any television services after digital switchover, as all six digital television multiplexes will be broadcast from Sutton Coldfield. It is possible the mast could be used for a local restricted service licence multiplex, or any other "new" multiplexes that may appear after digital switchover.