ITC Set To Back Fewer Channels On Freeview
The ITC has announced it is to support the BBC’s preferred method of transmission for its free-to air digital terrestrial television service, Freeview.
The ITC is amending its technical standards to favour fewer channels and better quality, in a move which could antagonise commercial broadcasters, who fear the reduced number of channels could lead to the BBC’s dominance of the digital television marketplace.
A spokesperson for ISBA told NewsLine: “As advertisers we would like to see more commercial channels available on the DTT platforms, but we understand the need for quality. We have backed ITV and Channel 4 but we don’t have the technical expertise to know how many channels the platforms can feasibly support. We welcome the fact the ITC is doing its own research into the technicalities of the issue, as currently we only have Crown Castle and the BBC’s word on the matter.”
A spokesperson for the ITC added: “It is a trade-off, ITV Digital suffered signalling problems, hopefully this method will prevent this. Channel 4 and ITV did not originally object to this method, but their failure to obtain licences for the digital platform, or in the case of ITV Digital, inability to hold on to the licence, makes their outlook and position on the subject different.”
The decision, which is only temporary pending a full enquiry before the New Year, was taken after an extensive consultation period. ISBA had previously signalled it’s support for ITV and Channel 4, who desired a platform with more channels (see ISBA Backs Commercial Broadcasters In Freeview Struggle).
The BBC and BSkyB’s new free-to-air digital terrestrial TV service will launch in the autumn and will be sold as a “fresh start” for digital terrestrial viewers (see BBC And BSkyB Name Free-To-Air DTT Service).
ISBA: 0207 499 7502 www.isba.org.uk ITC: 0207 306 7743 www.itc.org.uk
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