Two new channels are heading their way to the Freeview service, after the BBC and Arqiva have been granted permission to sell some of their frequencies.
The channels should be in place before the end of the digital switchover in 2012. Good news, then, for those looking at the service as a cheap replacement to their plain-old analogue channel setup.
In the near term
The BBC has managed to free up frequency space by ditching its multi-screen and red button options ahead of its BBC HD launch on Freeview. Arquiva, on the other hand, managed to open up space for a new channel through 'technical improvements'.
"In these unique circumstances, pairing the BBC's diminishing spare capacity with Arqiva's growing spare capacity would enable two additional national TV channels to be broadcast in the near term rather than only after the completion of digital switchover," said Ofcom in a statement about the news.
There's no word on what the channels will be, but we're betting the folks behind Dave, G.O.L.D and Quest are putting their thinking caps on now to come up with an oh-so funny spin for a channel spouting out stuff we've all seen a thousand times before.
Via Wotsat
Your comments (4) Click to add a new comment
p123
February 10th 2010
4. I am less than excited about the possibilities as I was only able to receive all the current channels during the big freeze as the air pressure was so high, but now back to 12 less - thank goodness for the internet. Naturally the nearest transmitter to me or so I have been told is the only one that does not have a back up generator in case of a power failure.
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dvs
February 9th 2010
3. Freeview could also do with less +1 channels and more choice. Even +24 channels would be better than +1 channels.
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112kane112
February 9th 2010
2. I agree, a sports channel would be a godsend, but that's very unlikely...
A movie channel could be very likely and very enjoyable. Although knowing our luck we will get Good Food or Blighty.
Sky2 or FX possibly, fingers crossed.
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tech89
February 9th 2010
1. A sports channel or a better movie channel would be nice.
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