Digital TV News

Five HD won’t be on Freeview until 2012

Wednesday 17 March, 2010

By Becca Talbot - becca@consumerchoices.co.uk

Customers waiting for the high-definition version of channel Five to launch will have to wait until 2012.

Channel Five will not be launching a high-definition (HD) TV service on Freeview until 2012, after failing to give regulator Ofcom a launch date or programming schedule.

Ofcom reserved a slot on Freeview for a HD channel for Five last June, but said yesterday it would no longer hold the spot for the broadcaster, because Five was unable to meet “certain key criteria by the end of 2009.”

Speaking to the Guardian, a spokesman for Five confirmed that the broadcaster is “not in a position” to launch the fourth Freeview HD channel at the moment.

Five had intended to show a selection of its own programmes in high-definition every evening and shows from other suppliers during the day.

“However, we remain committed to launching a HD version of Five and intend to apply for the fifth HD stream when Ofcom advertises it next year. We hope to provide the fifth service on the Freeview HD platform in 2012,” he added.

The empty slot on Freeview is now thought likely to be filled by another HD channel from BBC.

Freeview is now the main digital TV provider in more than 10 million homes in Britain. Last week ITV announced that it will launch a Freeview HD channel, available from 2 April.