It depends on your tv so i would ask the manufacturer.  The old analogue signal is very unlikely to work unless you have a specific option on the tv to change its decoder (eg some philips TVs give you a drop down menu of options for Pal B/G, Pal I, Secam, etc ).  However to be honest everyone is switching off the analogue signal so its hardly an issue. Switzerland has already switched off and France will be doing soon.  If your TV is one that has integrated DVB digital tv (freeview) or you use a DVB freeview box connected to the tv then you should be okay with that.  My UK tv with in-built DVB will happily receive Swiss digital channels no problem at all and it is a few years old.  

that is great news! thanksfully don't have to leave behind new tv that is only 2 weeks old!

Make sure you bring your Sky box with you, so you will be able to watch British channels too

well thats what i was leading too but didn't like to ask in case people didn't admit to doing it :0) can we buy the dish there?

i cant comment on sky really except to say that people have problems (just check the forums).  If you don't care about the subscription side (sky movies etc) and would be happy with the UK freeview selection then I would recommend you look at freesat.co.uk before you leave - no subscription required so its just like getting freeview in the UK.  You will need to buy the receiver box in the UK as they dont sell them here but obviously you can get the dishes attached etc when you get here.

great thanks for your help and advice

o