The digital television revolution has left millions of viewers unhappy with the service they receive, it is revealed today.

One in four customers are dissatisfied with Freeview, Sky and Virgin, the three digital providers which have 95 per cent of the market.

Last year, families spent £4.2billion on digital and satellite TV packages as the drive to phase out the old analogue broadcasting technology gathered pace.

But a survey by the price comparison website uSwitch.com calculated that around six million customers are dissatisfied.

One in four viewers are dissatisfied with the switchover to digital tv, according to a survey

Many are furious with the poor service from operators. Freeview has just 26 per cent approval for its customer support, while Sky and Virgin Media both achieved 59 per cent.

These high levels of discontent come despite the fact that households are spending on average £190 per year for their digital service.

The research found that nearly three million new customers opted for digital television packages last year. Nearly nine out of ten homes have now gone digital.

In the research, which questioned 12,000 viewers, Sky was voted the best overall provider with a 76 per cent satisfaction rating.

But when it came to value for money Sky, which has over a third of the market with eight million subscribers, managed just 57 per cent approval.

Sky customers pay an average of £31.17 per month for their digital TV service  -  almost double the £16.70 paid by Virgin Media viewers.

Freeview, which does not require subscription payments, was voted best value for money with 75 per cent of users satisfied.

Steve Weller, of uSwitch.com, said: 'Sky and Virgin will have quite a challenge on their hands convincing customers to part with their hard-earned cash while expecting them to accept the current levels of customer service.

'The availability of "free" services has received a boost with the launch of freesat, a joint initiative from the BBC and ITV that promises high definition programmes without the need for an ongoing subscription.

'Consumers will no doubt see these services as offering greater value for money when compared to the traditional monthly subscriptions offered by Sky and Virgin.

'Cash- strapped customers are also likely to be enticed by the television content delivered via broadband that is often free.'

 Viewers suffer depression at loss of favourite TV series

• VIEWERS suffer depression similar to grieving when a loved TV series ends, it is claimed.

The condition has been called TV Trauma and the top five shows to have caused it are said to be Only Fools and Horses, Friends, Fawlty Towers, Cold Feet and Sex and the City.

According to the broadband firm Tiscali, which surveyed 1,600 viewers, audiences form a bond with characters such as Del Boy or Tony Soprano.

When a show ends it hits 'fans as hard as losing someone close in the real world'.
The link can be romantic, with 29 per cent admitting to depression akin to a broken heart when the show is over.

Among men, the most likely cause of this was Billie Piper - Rose Tyler in Doctor Who - while for women it was James Nesbitt's Adam Williams in Cold Feet.