Terrestrial TV viewers in Wharfedale still have fewer channels than neighbouring areas, despite the now-complete digital switchover.

The final stage of the switch to a digital television signal happened this week, giving many local viewers without satellite or cable TV more than ten channels for the first time.

Households in the Otley and Ilkley area not subscribed to satellite or cable TV should now be able to receive Channel Five, as well as a host of BBC channels and radio stations for the first time, if they have a Freeview-compatible television set or digital set top box.

The analogue signal from the Emley Moor transmitter was turned off yesterday. but many homes in the valley still have fewer than half the number of terrestrial channels available in neighbouring communities.

And commercial operators are not expected to bring additional channels to the area in the foreseeable future.

Digital UK regional director, John Askew, says only 15 to 18 of the 40-plus free channels enjoyed by areas such as Yeadon can be received by areas served by relay transmitters.

The main transmitter serving the area is at Emley Moor, near Huddersfield. However, parts of the valley not in line with the main transmitter rely on a signal from the smaller Wharfedale relay transmitter, north of Otley.

Mr Askew said the switch to digital has ensured homes will receive all the public service broadcasting channels, funded by TV licence fees. This includes BBC 3, BBC 4, BBC news and children’s channels. But any upgrade to relay transmitters required to transmit other channels would be a commercial decision, to be taken by commercial broadcasters, he said.

Popular channels available by terrestrial signal elsewhere, such as Film Four, Dave, Yesterday and ITV 3, are not available in areas served by relay transmitters.

The Wharfedale relay transmitter is believed to serve around 14,000 homes.

Councillor Chris Greaves (Ind, Wharfedale) called on the Government to fund the upgrade of relay transmitters.

Digital TV uses less broadcast bandwidth space than analogue television, giving more room for new services such as local TV and wireless broadband.