The Communications Minister Pat Rabbitte will make a live televised address this morning to mark the changeover from analogue to digital television.

The analogue signal will be switched off at 10am leaving thousands of householders who have not made the change to Saorview without a television service.

If you do not have a digital service when the switch is flicked this morning then you will be left staring at a blank TV screen.

The analogue signal is being shut down and the new digital TV service comes into being.

The Communications Minister pat Rabbitte will be the first person to appear on digital TV in Ireland and he will use the chance to make a short live address.

But as of yesterday his department did not know how many people would be without the service.

The latest figures at the end of last month showed that 100,000 households still relied on an analogue signal but Saorview says electrical retailers have been busy since then with people buying units to make the switchover.

But if you decide not to you can still watch TV online, or you could always read a book – or listen to the radio!

Minister Rabbitte says the best possible effort has been made to inform people about the change in the system.

He adds that there are a number of services people can contact if they are experiencing difficulties.