ITV And C4 Join Forces For Digital Launch

A new company called Digital 3 and 4 Ltd, jointly owned by ITV and C4, today submitted an application to the Independent Television Commission to run the second digital terrestrial television licence.

The company has to satisfy that it will build the new digital transmission network, covering 85% of the country, within four years, and that it will actively promote the rapid take-up of the new TV services by viewers in the UK. Both ITV and Channel 4 will be able to offer new TV channels on this multiplex, as well as showing their existing programmes in widescreen. As part of its application the two broadcasters have also promised to run daily promotions in their existing airtime.

Frank McGettigan, general manager of Channel 4 and the chairman of the new company, made reference to the question of set-top boxes and said that Digital 3 and 4 wanted to work with cable and satellite broadcasters on these issues: “We believe in free, open and fair competition and can see no reason why any broadcaster should, in the new digital age, want – or be allowed – to create a dominant position through exclusive use of a particular technology.”

The deadline for digital applications to the ITC is tomorrow at noon (see today’s Newsline).

Mark Gallgher, ITVA, 0171 843 8122

Martin Stott, Channel 4, 0171 306 8268