‘HD for All’ group to lobby on DTT

Terrestrial broadcasters, TV manufacturers and retailers are calling on the Government to ensure that spectrum is set aside for high-definition television (HDTV) on the UK’s fast-growing Freeview platform according to the DTG website. Media regulator Ofcom wants the market to decide which services should get access to spectrum liberated from switching off analogue transmitters, with an auction planned for 2008.
The HD for All group—which includes the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five—said it was “important that all television viewers in the UK should have the opportunity to enjoy the UK’s free-to-air public service television channels in HD”.
“However, this will require some additional spectrum for the DTT platform (the home of Freeview) and we will be making the public interest case for such spectrum in the context of Ofcom’s review,” said a statement. ITV’s interim CEO John Cresswell, said: “It is clear that the UK public expect an HDTV option whichever digital platform they choose. But the future of HD on the UK’s fastest growing platform, Freeview, is far from guaranteed.”
Full article: DTG website
Item added: 27th December 2006