Freeview could carry four HD channels

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Latest technical research by Ofcom suggests at least four high-definition television (HDTV) channels could be provided on the UK's digital terrestrial platform. Paula Guest, strategy manager of Ofcom's Digital Dividend Review (DDR), said the regulator had conducted detailed research and was now in discussions with public service broadcasters (PSBs) over its findings. "Our current view is that at least four HD channels could be provided within the existing six multiplexes," said Guest during questions at a Westminster Media Forum seminar on HD.

Guest told Lovelace Consulting the four HD channels would be universally available while a possible fifth HD channel would have 90% coverage. Ofcom's research is based on set-top boxes moving to the more bandwidth-efficient MPEG-4 standard, said Guest.

The PSBs, backed by consumer electronics manufacturers and retailers, are lobbying for capacity to be set aside for HD channels on Freeview. Simon Pitts, controller of platforms at ITV, said a "gulf" existed between the PSBs and Ofcom, which is currently conducting new market research before making a final decision on DDR. Last week Ofcom CEO Ed Richards said the regulator was ready to "do everything we can" to help PSBs "create an HD presence on the DTT platform using existing spectrum".

Pitts said that while Ofcom had stated that four HD channels might be possible on Freeview "we don't see how PSBs could lawfully obtain that capacity" as it was held by multiplex operators including National Grid Wireless. Pitts told the seminar that the debate over HD on Freeview was about consumer choice. Regulators had taken the view when licensing Freeview five years ago that "it was not enough to rely on access to satellite or cable". "The same applies to HD. To now cut off Freeview at the knees … is frankly ludicrous and a huge waste of taxpayers' money," said Pitts.

Freeview general manager Ilse Howling unveiled research showing three quarters of consumers with HD-ready TVs expected HD on Freeview. "Freeview consumers value HD more than they would value additional television channels. It seems a great shame now, five years on, that we would disappoint those people and not offer them what they think is a brilliant way of watching TV. Consumers want high quality digital television with HD which they can get through their aerial, not a dish, and without subscription," said Howling.

Martin Le Jeune, head of public affairs at BSkyB, said it was too early to say whether HD would one day become a mainstream product, and accused PSBs of demanding "something for nothing". "You guys have got a lot of spectrum already. Why are you trying to nick more spectrum," asked Le Jeune.

Jocelyn Hay, chairman of Voice of the Listener and Viewer, said there would be "huge resentment" among consumers buying HD-ready sets "in the expectation that HD will become available on Freeview". She urged policy makers to consider mandating receivers to be dual standard - incorporating both MPEG-2 and MPEG-4 compression technologies - a move that had already been taken in France. And she called on Ofcom to back the PSBs' case for spectrum to be loaned for HD channels on Freeview while MPEG-4 boxes built up in the market, then at some point in the future it could be handed back.