Channel 5 drops plan for HD launch on Freeview

[rbonchev]

The fifth HD licence on Freeview will not be taken by Channel 5.
Channel 5 has axed it plans to launch the fifth high-definition (HD) service on the UK's digital terrestrial TV platform (DTT) Freeview.

Media regulator Ofcom invited applications for the additional HD licence earlier this year, with the station set to go live in April 2012.

Channel 5 was widely regarded as the frontrunner to take the slot having originally intended to launch its HD channel on Freeview in 2010, only to scrap this move after failing to meet Ofcom's requirements.

At the time, the only other applicants were Channel 4 and S4C, which also failed to convince the watchdog of their plans. This decision paved the way for the launch of BBC One HD.

The Sky and Virgin Media pay TV platforms have carried Channel 5 HD since last year.

However, the terrestrial broadcaster announced it has decided "with regret" to ditch its application for the HD slot, citing difficulties with resolving some "issues of commercial importance" within Ofcom's timeframe.

"We will be applying afresh for DTT capacity when it is next advertised by Ofcom. We hope this will take place in the near future," Channel 5 added.

[toby69]

Re: Channel 5 drops plan for HD launch on Freeview

more probably like money issue, lot of things are not mentioned, even politicians keep a lot stum from the public domane, anyway lets not go down that route on here please.

[odysseas1991]

Re: Channel 5 drops plan for HD launch on Freeview

This is probably the wrong choice since it would attract more attention to the freeview installations during the digital switchover in the UK. It would make more sense to go ahead and broadcast in HD for freeview as the majority of people wiill be aware of the channel since the HD channels are being advertised constantly on freeview HD boxes...