Digital TV News

Freeview HD will air before Christmas 2009

Friday 2 July, 2009

becca.talbot@consumerchoices.co.uk

The BBC has confirmed that homes in Manchester and Liverpool will receive Freeview HD in December this year.

According to Graham Plumb, head of distribution technology at BBC operations, the first switch to Freeview HD will be on 2 December this year, at the Winter Hill transmitter.

The Winter Hill transmitter serves the cities of Liverpool and Manchester.

In the BBC Internet Blog, Plumb wrote: “The plan has always been to roll Freeview HD out around the country following the switchover and Winter Hill was selected as the first achievable transmitter. There will need to be a retrospective upgrade of regions that have already switched.”

Plumb added that the BBC also has plans to upgrade the Freeview Crystal Palace transmitter to HD in December, although London is not officially scheduled to switchover to digital from analogue until 2012.

Other households around the country may have to wait until the middle of 2010 for the free high definition service.

In order to receive Freeview HD from the BBC, customers will need set-top boxes and some customers may need to purchase new aerials and television sets depending on the age of their current sets.

Jon Ingram, operations director at DigitalChoices.co.uk said: “It’s great news that homes in Liverpool and Manchester will be able to receive high definition Freeview before Christmas, however it is important customers weigh up the costs of switching to HD.”

Ingram added: “While Freeview is free, the equipment you’ll need to watch the high definition programmes can be expensive. As there is not that much HD content available yet, it may be worth waiting a few months for prices to come down and for more programmes to be broadcast in HD.”