Ofcom awards HD broadcast licences to Channel 4, S4C, ITV regions
Ofcom has announced that it has granted licences to broadcast in high definition on digital terrestrial TV to Channel 4, S4C, ITV plc, STV, and UTV.
These public service broadcasters will now join the BBC in launching three high definition services on DTT, expected to begin in the Granada region from Autumn 2009, and with complete UK coverage by 2012.
Ofcom has also said that a fourth HD service could be launched on DTT by 2010, with more details of a licence award coming towards the end of the year. Channel 5, perhaps?
Channel 4 and S4C made a joint proposal to simultaneously broadcast a high definition version of Channel 4 across the UK, with viewers in Wales receiving an HD version of the S4C Digidol service.
Channel 4 and S4C have stated that their service will also include:
- a strong film component (4HD expects to broadcast over 150 hours of films in HD during the first twelve months, with the majority shown in peak-time)
- drama, comedy, science programmes and documentaries made in the UK in HD and programmes imported from the US such as Desperate Housewives
- viewers of S4C HD will be able to watch Welsh-language programmes such as children's programmes and European Cup Rugby games in HD
An on demand service may also be available in the future.
Channel 3
ITV plc, Channel TV, stv and UTV have stated that they will simultaneously broadcast the current peak-time (18.00-23.00) ITV1 schedule in HD. This will mean that ITV1's most popular programmes, such as Lewis, will be available in HD.
The new ITV HD service will also include:
- sport programmes, such as the FA Cup and the 2010 Football World Cup, in HD
- newly-commissioned drama series such as Miss Marple in HD
- programmes about the UK's nations and regions in place of the early evening and late night regional news services.
On demand services outside of these peak-time hours will be available.
The service will become available in the Granada region in 2009, Wales, Scotland and the West Country in 2010, Central, Yorkshire, Anglia and Meridian in 2011, and London, Tyne Tees and Ulster by 2012.
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