DIGITAL broadcaster Ondigital has been criticised for its decision to charge customers for a weekly television guide.

The company has ceased production of its free monthly guide and replaced it with "ON7" television guide.

Customers have until March 28 to opt out of subscribing to the guide, at a cost of £1.69.

Viewer John Heathwaite, of West Auckland Road, Darlington, contacted The Northern Echo to complain about the change.

He said: "It is a pretty back door method of getting more money from you."

Ondigital admitted it had received complaints from its customers about the policy.

But it said the guide was good value and contained more detailed programming information