ITC Grants Digital Licences

The way is now clear for digital terrestrial TV to launch next year, after the ITC granted multiplex licences to BDB, ITV and C4.

Peter Rogers, chief executive of the ITC, said: “Licensing of digital terrestrial TV has been a complex and lengthy, but rewarding, process. We are delighted that, with the grant of these licences today, the ITC has ensured that DTT is on course to start in 1998.”

BDB, ITV and C4 must now begin their services within the next twelve months. C4 and ITV are, however, required to provide the ITC with further information by the end of March 1998 regarding the nature of their programming. The Commission is particularly keen to gain information about the proportion of original productions and first-run programmes to be included in the schedules.

ITC: 0171 255 3000