Ofcom reserves capacity for two new HD services on DTT

Ofcom has announced its decision to reserve capacity for Channel 4 together with Welsh-language broadcaster S4C, and Channel 3 licensees (ITV plc, Channel TV, stv and UTV) to broadcast new High Definition (HD) services on digital terrestrial television (DTT).

The announcement follows a tender process and means that these public service broadcasters will join the BBC in launching three HD services on DTT, expected to start with the Granada region from late autumn 2009, with nationwide coverage by the end of digital switchover (DSO) in 2012.

To access the HD programmes and new services on DTT, viewers will need an HD Ready TV set and a new HD set-top box that is capable of receiving the new services.  

Ofcom also believes that a fourth HD service could be launched on DTT as soon as 2010. They expect to outline the process for awarding the licence for that service by the end of this year.

The news release can be found at http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2008/10/nr_20081017