BBC Urges Channel 5 Plans To Be Dropped

The BBC, in a submission to the Department of Trade and Industry, has called for government plans on Channel 5 to be halted until the further advancement of digital technology.

BBC research has shown that introducing the channel now could waste an opportunity to create eight new stations in a few years time; the frequencies which would be used for Channel 5 could create eight new “standard” channels or one high-definition channel and one standard service. The BBC believes that a single channel using analogue technology would be a waste of resources.

The ITC, in its plans for the new Channel 5, is awaiting a government decision on digital technology before making any announcement.