HDTV on the terrestrial platform gets go ahead

Following the recent consultation on HDTV, the French broadcasting regulator CSA has announced that HDTV will become the standard definition of the future on the French terrestrial platform. They have concluded that it will be possible to launch three HDTV channels on a single multiplex, and the initial tender will ask for two channels with the other being reserved for public service broadcasting.
It is expected that the slots will be made available on the fifth multiplex (R5), which is currently unused. Services could begin as early as 2008.
Initially it is envisaged that a data rate of 7-8 Mbps would be required for each channel but the debate on a choice of either 720p or 1080i formats still continues.
Main source: CSA communiqués
Item added: 21st May 2007