90% HD penetration, but only if Ofcom grants DTT spectrum

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Ninety per cent of UK homes will be watching high definition by 2020, but only if Ofcom allocates additional spectrum for the HD format. Research from Strategy Analytics suggests that without further gifted capacity the availability will be restricted to just 60%.

Strategy Analytics report HDTV and DTT: The Impact Of Platform Evolution Decisions On HDTV Adoption Scenarios says that the decision on HD is closely tied to overall policy on the future of public service broadcasting and that its availability is necessary to ensure the public sector is not weakened relative to the pay and commercial broadcasters.

“The Ofcom and the UK government decisions on HD-DTT over the next few months will shape the UK’s broadcasting environment for many years to come,” notes David Mercer, principal analyst at Strategy Analytics. “They must consider the long term impact on public service broadcasting before making any final decision on spectrum allocation.”

In recent days there have been suggestions that Ofcom is softening its line on the allocation of DTT spectrum that will otherwise be subject to an auction process.

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Good. More pressure please