News Multiscreen and 302 leave Freeview

The BBC News Multiscreen is no longer available on Freeview, and one of the platform's two additional ("interactive") video streams has been removed. In order to make way for future high definition services, the BBC has had to close 302 and scrap the video news service: HD services will be introduced on a region-by-region basis, but Red Button services can only be run on an all-or-nothing basis. Vacant streams will be sub-let on a regional, short-term basis.

Viva launches on Freeview

Viva has launched on Freeview channel 21. Replacing TMF, which apparently was a music channel, you'd be hard pushed to tell it apart from the new station from MTV's previous offering.

Arqiva advertise 2 new channel slots

Multiplex C and D operator Arqiva is inviting proposals for two new digital terrestrial television channels. It's unclear as yet when this new capacity will become available, but both are being advertised as full 24/7 slots. The closing date for applications is 30 October.

302, News Multiscreen to close

The BBC will close the BBC News Multiscreen and the "interactive" video stream 302 on 27 October. In order to clear enough capacity to launch HD services later this year, the services are having to be scrapped. Despite the fact high definition channels will not be available nationwide from launch, it is impossible to maintain a full "red button" service in the interim. It's likely to be an unpopular move, especially after the fuss surrounding last month's retune event (in which many households lost ITV3 and ITV4). According to this press release, unused capacity will be sub-let.

Freeview HD to launch in London this year

High definition Freeview channels will be available in the London and Granada television regions areas by the end of 2009, with Glasgow, Newcastle, Birmingham, and Leeds/Bradford to follow by the end of Spring 2010, it has been announced. The BBC has recently signed a deal Arqiva have signed a deal to upgrade the new transmitters, and cleared multiplex B to carry the HD services.

"Viva" to replace TMF

MTV are to replace TMF with "Viva", a new channel based upon the broadcaster's European channel of the same name. The new channel will launch on Monday 26 October.

ITV scraps plans to sell SDN

ITV has scrapped plans to sell DTT multiplex operator SDN. The broadcaster had planned to sell off the company, which it bought back in 2005 for just under £150million, to focus on programme making and make the accounts look more favourable. SDN is estimated to make about £40million a year. ITV will now seek to raise cash through a bonds issue.

Teletext text to close in December

Teletext have announced the closure of their core text services will be bought forward to December. As well as the Teletext services on ITV, Channel 4, Five and Freesat (analogue and digital), teletext.co.uk and their mobile website will also cease.