Arqiva warns on HD delays to digital terrestrial

According to Broadcast magazine, Arqiva has warned Ofcom that delays in deciding whether Freeview will carry HD channels could result in a £70 million pound bill. Apparently this is because certain transmiters in Scotland, Wales, the West Country and north-west England need to be modified for switchover this summer by Arqiva, but the work does not include preparations for HD.
Broadcast magazine quoted an Arqiva spokesman as saying that a delay now could leave large areas of the UK without digital Terrestrial HD until 2013. He said that “It is inconceivable that digital terrestrial TV will not support HD in the future. How can 50% of the population be denied coverage of the London Olympics in HD?”
Initial source: DTG
Item added: 7th March, 2006