Britain's free-to-air digital TV service will offer high-definition (HD) channels to viewers with the proper equipment by 2012, in time for the Olympics. Ofcom had already hinted at plans to launch HD on Freeview and today, it set out plans after consulting with broadcasters. Initially, three channels will be available in Freeview in select regions in 2009 and four HD channels will be available by as digital switchover is completed by 2012.
One of the four slots will be held by the BBC Trust while others will be awarded the remaining three slots after a bidding process. The applications will be judged on their efficient use of spectrum, diversity of content and the contribution of public services. The bidding is expected to include Channel 4, Channel 5 and ITV.
The move of HD to Freeview will enable terrestrial broadcasters to compete with pay-TV options from Virgin and BSkyB.
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The move of HD to Freeview will enable terrestrial broadcasters to compete with pay-TV options from Virgin and BSkyB.
Get regular news updates from AfterDawn.com by subscribing to our RSS feeds using the Subscribe button below. If you have been living in a cave for a few years now and don't know how to use RSS feeds, then Click Here to read a Guide on how to use RSS (and other) feeds.
