Four HD Channels Possible On DTT Says Ofcom

New research from Ofcom has found that the UK’s digital terrestrial TV platform could carry at least four high definition channels.

Speaking at the Westminster Media Forum on HD, Paula Guest, strategy manager of Ofcom’s Digital Dividend Review, revealed that the regulator has now entered into discussions with public service broadcasters over the findings.

The Ofcom research, which assumes that set-top boxes will move to the more bandwidth efficient MPEG-4 standard, shows that the four HD channels would be universally available, whilst a possible fifth would have 90% coverage.

Last week, the chief executive of Ofcom, Ed Richards, said in a keynote speech at a conference on the Future of Broadcasting that Ofcom would do everything it could to help public service broadcasters create an HD presence on the DTT platform using existing spectrum (see Ofcom Still Considering HD On Freeview).

However, he made it clear that the regulator had not yet been persuaded to allocate spectrum for HD channels on Freeview.

Also speaking at this week’s HD seminar, Ilse Howling, general manager of Freeview, showcased research revealing that 75% of consumers with HD-ready TVs expect HD on the Freeview platform.

Howling said: “Freeview consumers value HD more than they would value additional television channels. It seems a great shame now, five years on, that we would disappoint those people and not offer them what they think is a brilliant way of watching TV.”

Ofcom’s latest Digital Progress Report found that Freeview is now on the main set in 8.4 million homes, compared to Sky’s eight million, after selling almost two million set-top boxes between January and March alone (see Digital TV Penetration In The UK Exceeds 80%).

Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk Freeview: 08708 80 99 80 www.freeview.co.uk