Broadcasters reveal Freeview HD plan

In a surprise move, the UK’s major terrestrial broadcasters have announced plans to broadcast high definition channels on Freeview. The BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five – who all took part in DTT HD trials in London last year – will use “new technologies” and the re-shuffling of channels on various multiplexes to allow for HD channels to be broadcast on one dedicated Freeview multiplex by as early as 2009. The proposals, which will require approval from the BBC Trust and Ofcom, contradict the broadcasters’ earlier claims that extra capacity was needed in order to launch HD channels on DTT. BBC HD was approved for launch yesterday, whilst Channel 4 HD launches next month, and ITV HD is scheduled to begin early next year.