HD For Freeview Sooner Than Planned
Free high definition broadcasts on the Freeview platform could be available as early as the end of 2009, much earlier than predicted, according to Ofcom’s chief executive, Ed Richards.
Speaking at yesterday’s Ofcom Annual Lecture, held by the Westminster Media Forum, Richards said that new technology could allow the Freeview platform to carry substantial amounts of HD programming.
The regulator has been looking at technology that could solve the HD issue, as there is currently a problem with a lack of capacity. The new system could in fact double the capacity, leading to a rise in HD programming on the platform much earlier than expected.
Broadcasters have unsuccessfully lobbied Ofcom to hand them some of the 112MHz spectrum freed up by the analogue switch-off, which began today in Whitehaven (see
Digital Switchover Begins Today
Digital Switchover Begins Today
Digital Switchover Begins Today
Digital Switchover Begins Today
Digital Switchover Begins Today Cost Of HDTV Services Impacting Take-Up).
Richards eluded to the freeing up of spectrum for HD channels on Freeview in the summer. Speaking to the Broadcasting Press Guild he said Ofcom had plans in place which would allow up to four HDTV channels to be broadcast on the DTT platform.
He said that public broadcasters had been seeking extra capacity following switchover and so Ofcom’s proposal had not been met with universal acclaim.
Richards said that a reshuffle of the existing DTT line-up, coupled with new compression technology, could free-up capacity for HDTV channels (see Ofcom Has Plans Ready For Four Freeview HD Channels).
Ofcom: 020 7981 3040 www.ofcom.org.uk