HD on Freeview EDM gains 55 MP supporters

[BGonaSTICK]

Labour MP John Grogan's early day motion (EDM) calling on the Government to "provide a fair allocation of spectrum for HD on Freeview" has been signed by 55 MPs. Grogan's EDM says many consumers who have bought an HD-ready screen expect to be "able to receive HDTV via Freeview after switchover".

"Ofcom's preference for a simple sale of spectrum freed up by digital switchover, and the additional costs of production and transmission in HD, may mean that public service broadcasters simply cannot afford the additional spectrum necessary to provide HD via Freeview," says the EDM.

Grogan says the issue threatens to consign Freeview to "a second class service" unless spectrum is made available to public services broadcasters.

Earlier this week the Government side-stepped an e-petition calling on Tony Blair to force media regulator Ofcom to allocate unused spectrum after digital switchover to high-definition TV services. The e-petition was submitted via the 10 Downing Street web site and gained 4,906 signatures. The Government urged petititoners to take part in Ofcom's consultation on its Digital Digital Review, ending on March 20.