Channel 4 Secures Additional Freeview Airspace
Channel 4 has confirmed the acquisition of additional Freeview airspace from National Grid Wireless (formerly Crown Castle UK), lifting the lid on plans to extend its free-to-air services, initially using the space for a time shifted version of entertainment channel, More4.
The new capacity was put up for auction by National Grid Wireless earlier this year and was awarded to Channel 4 following a sealed bid process. The win confirms rumours earlier this month that the broadcaster would succeed after Five’s decision to withdraw from the bidding process (see Channel 4 Set To Scoop Freeview Airspace).
The new air space is sufficient to support an entirely new channel and will be considered by the broadcaster for long term projects to extend its Freeview portfolio, currently encompassing Channel 4, E4, E4 +1, More4 and Quiz Call.
Welcoming the new broadcast space, Andy Duncan, Channel 4’s chief executive, said: “Channel 4 is one of the great digital TV success stories of 2005, with our spin-off services helping to drive the rapid growth in multi-channel TV viewing this year.
“Joining Freeview in May has helped E4 overtake Sky One to become the most watched digital channel amongst 16 to 34-year-old viewers and more than double its share of viewing year-on-year this autumn. More4 is claiming the most upmarket audience for any channel in digital TV homes, with a high percentage of its viewing coming from Freeview homes.”
The broadcast boss added: “Capacity on the DTT platform is a scarce commodity and this deal allows us to accommodate our full current line-up of free channels and to keep our options open for further channel launches in the future. We’re very confident that this investment will pay off with an increasingly strong showing for our channels in digital TV homes.”
Last month saw Channel 4 join the Freeview consortium, along with commercial rival ITV, giving the broadcaster more control over how the rapidly expanding service is promoted and developed (see ITV And Channel 4 Join Freeview Consortium).
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