ITC Publishes C5 Consultation Document

The ITC yesterday published a consultation document on the future of Channel 5, seven months after rejecting the single application from Channel Five Holdings Limited.

The document sets out three options including a summary of a technical study. The three options were:

1. READVERTISEMENT

Readvertisement of a single licence on similar terms to those advertised in the original Invitation to Apply in April 1992. The technical study looked at ways of using additional frequencies to reduce the number of video recorders requiring tuning and examined ways of improving reception of the service on existing aerials. However, in neither case did it find ways of reducing costs or simplifying the process.

2. LOCAL SERVICES

Using already available frequencies to create local city -based television stations. New legislation would be required, but the ITC would like to see evidence on the commercial viability of this approach.

3. DIGITAL TELEVISION

Using the frequencies as part of a plan to introduce digital television. The ITC recently published a discussion document on digital television, whereby new digital channels could be introduced alongside existing PAL services on BBC, ITV and Channel 4 until early in the next century. Views on this option are also sought.

Expressions of interest have to be presented by October 15.

ITC 071 255 3000