TV SIGNALS may be disrupted, according to the BBC, to allow Arqiva to perform power testing on the new temporary mast.

Many people may have noticed a message on their TV reporting that signals could be disrupted today and not to retune their telly.

A spokesperson for the BBC has said the disruption, which could take place Tuesday October 12, is to allow Arqiva to perform power testing in readiness for the new temporary mast coming into operation.

According to the BBC, viewers “do not need to retune at this time as reception should return to normal later in the day.”

Just last week saw the demolition of the former mast on the Bilsdale site that went up in flames on August 10.

The new 80-metre temporary mast is, according to Arqiva, still on track to be completed between October 13 to October 19 after just over a week delay due to bad weather.

In a media briefing on Monday last week Arqiva also made public an estimated map of areas that may be still without TV signal once the new temporary mast is constructed.

The map shows that much of the coastal areas of North Yorkshire near Whitby will be found in what Arqiva are calling a “not-spot” where there will be no TV signal.

York Press: GREEN: Coverage RED No coverageGREEN: Coverage RED No coverage

*UPDATE* IN A recent update from Freeview it has been confirmed that the new 80-metre temporary mast set to bring signals back to up to 95 per cent of households will be switched on on Wednesday.

A spokesperson for Freeview has said that thanks to “good weather conditions and a promising forecast for tomorrow” the switch on will go ahead for October 13.

It was confirmed earlier today that there may be some disruption to signals after power testing set to be carried out by Arqiva tomorrow.

This disruption may have an impact on those who currently have signal however, the BBC has confirmed that viewers “do not need to retune at this time as reception should return to normal later in the day.”

A spokesperson for Freeview said: “With good weather forecast, Arqiva is planning large-scale engineering work to test the new, temporary Bilsdale transmitter tomorrow, Tuesday 12th October. The new Bilsdale mast will restore TV signals to thousands of homes across the region.

“If you do currently have a working TV signal, it is very likely you will experience disruption during the day tomorrow. It’s important that you don’t retune your TV tomorrow, as a signal will be restored for the evening’s TV viewing. Providing the final tests tomorrow are successful, the new Bilsdale mast will be operational from 6am onwards on Wednesday. You should retune your TV set after that point.”