Freeview HD services to launch next year

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2008/apr/03/digitaltvradio.television

• from early next year there will be 4 HD channels on digital terrestrial (freeview) broadcast, co-inciding with the 'digital switchover'
• viewers will have to upgrade their hardware however (as it uses mpeg-4 compression technology superior to mpeg-2 found in normal sets)
• 1 channel has already been allocated to the BBC; the other 3 are to be bought by other potential broadcast companies

• "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to upgrade digital terrestrial television," said the Ofcom chief executive, Ed Richards.

  "It offers benefits for broadcasters - who will be able to launch new services without using any new spectrum - and viewers - who will have access to new channels and services on free to air."

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