IN a recent update on the problems with the Bilsdale transmitter from the BBC more viewers in the region should receive signal in the region as a Grinton Lodge Relay is now back online.

The relay serves viewers in Grinton, Reeth and Arkle Beck and, according to the BBC, should restore services to people in these areas.

The update also stated that the Eston Nab transmitter will now give viewers BBC News HD, BBC Four HD and CBeebies HD.

READ MORE: Bilsdale transmitter latest: What we know so far after residents left with no TV signal

A spokesperson for the BBC said: “The Grinton Lodge Relay is now back on air, serving viewers in Grinton, Reeth and along the Arkle Beck. If you tried to retune after losing services, you may need to do this again to restore Freeview.

“In addition to this, BBC News HD, BBC Four HD and CBeebies HD is now available from the Eston Nab transmitter. Try a retune if you previously received services from Bilsdale, rather than a smaller relay transmitter.

“Also, BBC Radio Tees DAB reception has been improved in Northallerton, Catterick, Thirsk and on the A1.

“Progress continues with next phase of restoring services with our transmitter provider working on plans to build a temporary transmitter at Bilsdale.”

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Last week the BBC bowed to pressure from The Northern Echo to put thousands in line for a refund to help those worst affected by the Bilsdale mast fire.

A TV Licensing spokesperson said that after the intervention by the Echo, bosses had agreed to either refund people or give them an equivalent extension to their existing TV licence if they are without a signal for a month or more.

A spokesperson said: “Customers in the affected area who have been unable to receive TV coverage for over a month, and who are unable to view BBC programming through BBC iPlayer and on cable and satellite platforms, will be eligible for a refund or be offered a free extension to their TV Licence to cover the months affected.

 “We are continuing to work with our suppliers Arqiva to ensure services in the affected area are resumed as soon as possible.”

Here’s how to claim compensation if you are eligible:

  • Customers who are eligible will receive a free extension or refund – dependent on their payment plan – on their TV Licence equivalent to the time, in months, they have been unable to receive coverage
  • Customers will be able to request an extension to their licence through the TV Licensing website, or via calling the TV Licensing call centre after 10th September
  • The addresses of customers who request a free TV Licence extension will be cross-referenced with the postcodes which have been impacted by the coverage outage.
  • In line with our refunds policy, we are unable to issue a partial refund for a time period of less than a month.

Site operators are still unsure as to when the Bilsdale transmitter will be fixed and are still unsure as to when the 80-metre temporary mast will be constructed on the Bilsdale site.

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Arqiva update

The most recent update provided by site operators Arqiva said they were not able to provide an update, however, they said they are “continuing to work around the clock to find a way forward.”

The full statement from an Arqiva spokesperson said: “We continue to work through the process to enable access to the Bilsdale site to build the temporary mast. There is no specific new detail to share at this point but we are continuing to work round the clock to find a way forward.

“Meanwhile, this week has seen the successful restoration of some Freeview television services for those who receive signals from the smaller relay sites in the following areas: Grinton Lodge, Ravenscar, Aislaby, West Burton, Romaldkirk

“These relays normally receive a signal from the main Bilsdale mast (Aislaby actually takes its signal from Ravenscar) and ‘pass it on’ to the communities in the area that cannot see the main mast. 

“We once again apologise that services have not been restored as quickly as we’d hoped and will provide a further update as soon as possible.”

READ MORE: Bilsdale transmitter latest: What we know so far after residents left with no TV signal

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