ITV To Face Channel 4 Over Empty Freeview Slot

Terrestrial heavyweights ITV and Channel 4 look set to slug out the battle for Crown Castle’s remaining airspace on Freeview alone, after the broadcast firm left rivals out of the last round of applications for the licence.

Reports this morning suggest that Crown Castle has invited the two broadcasters to expand upon their proposals for the broadcast space, while not inviting Five, Disney, Turner Broadcasting, Sit-Up TV and Top-Up TV back to continue their bids.

According to Broadcast both ITV and Channel 4 are preparing gaming channels for the remaining space on Freeview, although speculation has also been raised that ITV may use the space for a free-to-air version of satellite channel, Men & Motors, while Channel 4 could use the space for E4.

The new channel is due to launch on 1 April, with the licence running for 12 months. An announcement on the winning bidder is expected from Crown Castle next week.

Freeview’s popularity has soared since its launch in 2002, with over five million homes now able to receive the service. Bidding for the new licence closed earlier this month, with bids rumoured to have reached the £7.3 million mark (see Bidding Closes For Freeview Channel Slot)

Channel Four: 020 7396 4444 www.channel4.com Freeview: 08708 80 99 80 www.freeview.co.uk ITV: 020 7843 8000 www.itv.com

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