C5 Aerial Costs Could Reach £250m

The number of homes which will require new aerials or aerial upgrades to receive Channel 5 have been underestimated by the channel, according to a report by the Confederation of Aerial Industries (CAI). The estimated total cost for householders is likely to reach £250m.

The CAI, the aerial manufacturers’ body, estimates that around 3.4 million homes will need to invest up to £150 each to upgrade their aerial hardware, a figure much lower than the 2 million homes predicted by Channel 5. The problem arises because C5 will broadcast on a lower frequency strength than other channels which will cause reception difficulties in certain areas such as London, the south-west and the north-east.

…C5 is still considering its options regarding reaching those homes which cannot receive the channel. Up to one million extra homes will be reached if the channel chooses to be distributed by satellite and around 500,000 if cable is chosen as the distribution method. A more likely way around the problem is for C5 to use the digital frequency allocated to it to broadcast its terrestrial programmes as well as additional services.

CAI: 0181 902 8998