C5 Claims Low Interference Levels

Channel 5 has carried out a test transmission in Cumbria to assess how many of those homes which had not been retuned actually experienced interference.

According to C5, less than 20% out of 37,000 homes received a bad signal – far less than the 50% which had been anticipated. A high profile publicity drive through newspapers, radio, direct marketing and promotion in shopping centres was used to build public awareness for the test, encouraging people to play a video or watch satellite on the day of the test and report on the amount of interference they had received.

This test comes amid growing concern that the retuning programme is fast becoming the albatross round C5’s neck. A recent survey by ITV * ITV Claims C5 Will Complete Retune In ’98 claims that only 2% of homes targeted by Channel 5 have been successfully retuned and, based on the channel’s ‘current performance’, the 90% of homes which legally have to be retuned would not be completed until mid-1998.

* MediaTel subscribers only

C5: 0171 497 5225

ITV: 0171 843 8000