HDTV/3D TV News
Want to get HDTV programming for free? In many countries, like the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Australia, and Japan, it is possible to use an antenna to receive HD programs.
The only way to receive HDTV is to subscribe to services like SKY HD or NTL/Telewest. OFCOM, the UK telecommunications regulator, plans to auction off the air-space that will be left over from the closure of analogue TV channels. OFCOM defends the plan by pointing out that a lack of present interest in HDTV makes the technology a premium service.
In 2006, there was a limited trial of HDTV over Freeview. An overwhelming majority of respondents (some 86%) said that having HDTV over Freeview was important. This same test run showed that consumers are expecting broadcasters, like BBC, ITV, C4, and Five, to be on the cutting edge when it comes to offering the HD services.
With the success of the trial run, the support of companies like Sony, and the increasing rise of HDTV sets being purchased, the choice that OFCOM seems determined to make is most assuredly the wrong one for the region.
Consumers that are interested in HDTV are encouraged to support movements like “HDForAll” in an effort to turn OFCOM in a different direction.
I simply don’t understand what takes so long to introduce the HDTV broadcasts in the UK. What do you mean “OFCOM, the UK telecommunications regulator, plans to auction off the air-space”? It is exactly the same air-space currently allocated for the analog TV that should be used for HDTV broadcasts. Digital broadcasts will replace the analog ones over time. Exactly as in the US. In fact, in the US the analog NTSC broadcasts will be stop in 2 years from now.