The major terrestrial broadcasters have been signed up for months, but finally Ofcom has laid out its proposals for bringing free-to-air high definition channels to an upgraded Freeview platform.
In certain regions, three high definition channels could appear on Freeview as soon as next year, with up to four available in all areas after the digital switchover is complete in 2012.
One channel would go to the BBC Trust, with the other three going to commercial public service broadcasters after a bidding process. The applications would be judged on their efficient use of spectrum, the contribution to public service broadcasting and a contribution to the range and diversity of TV.
