BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five agree approach for Freeview HDTV channels

Terrestrial HDTV moved a step closer in the UK with the signing of a memorandum of understanding between four broadcasting companies.

The new technologies under consideration are MPEG-4 and 256 QAM. Together these technologies could permit up to 19 standard definition channels on a single multiplex instead of the nominal 8 for the current MPEG-2 and 64 QAM standard.

Although initially only HDTV channels will use MPEG-4/256 QAM, it is expected that it will eventually be used for all standard definition TV to enable more channels to be broadcast. Such a move would mean replacing all existing Freeview boxes.

From http://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/
stories/2007/11_november/20/hd.shtml

The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five have today announced that they have signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding that, if agreed, would deliver High Definition (HD) channels on Freeview by the projected completion of Digital Switchover in 2012.

Potentially from late-2009/2010, BBC HD (approved yesterday by the BBC Trust), ITV HD and Channel 4 HD could all be available on Freeview, with Five HD launching as soon afterwards as capacity is available and by 2012 at the latest, subject to the relevant regulatory agreements and conditional on the necessary Board approvals.

The agreement encompasses:

· the use of new technologies, which will increase the capacity available on Freeview

· a rearrangement of some of the channels carried on Freeview, in line with Ofcom's suggestion, setting aside one of the BBC's two multiplexes for the carriage of not only BBC HD but also ITV HD, Channel 4 HD and – as soon as technically possible – Five HD.

The agreement follows discussions with Ofcom and Government to launch the new services consumers want, in particular free-to-air High Definition.

A variation of the relevant BBC multiplex licence to carry HD services will be subject to approval from Ofcom.

The proposed agreement would also require approval by the BBC Trust.

Related URL’s

DVB-T2 to enable HDTV post-switchover
http://www.digitalradiotech.co.uk/articles/DVB-T2-to-enable-HDTV-post-switchover.php

Ofcom: no comeback for TV on analogue spectrum
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/october2007/
no_comeback_on_analogue.htm

Freeview to switch to MPEG-4 ?
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/may2007/freeview_switch.htm

Sky Freeview channels to switch to MPEG-4
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/february2007/sky_mpeg4_switch.htm

UK's Freeview boxes could soon be obsolete
http://www.southgatearc.org/news/january2006/freeview.htm