Government greed 'threatens HDTV'

ITV BOSS MICHAEL GRADE has warned that, under current plans, the majority of UK viewers will be unable to receive high-definition TV when the switch to digital broadcasting is complete in 2012.

Consumers buying 'HD-ready' TVs could find themselves disappointed that limited bandwidth on digital terrestrial frequencies will mean that HD broadcasts will be limited to cable and satellite platforms rather than Freeview, which is in use in 11 million homes and has now overtaken satellite as the most popular digital medium.

When analogue TV broadcasts are switched off at the end of 2012, Ofcom, the government department responsible for the RF spectrum in the UK, is likely to sell off most of the available bandwidth to the highest bidders - likely to be telecoms companies rather than free-to-air broadcasters.

Ofcom claims that up to six HD channels could be accommodated in the existing six DTT multiplexes which occupy six UHF frequencies out of an available 48 channels. The number of TV stations accommodated on each multiplex depends on the encoding and compression used. For example the main BBC multiplex contains six standard-resolution TV channels, while others have up to 27 lower bandwidth TV and radio stations.

Grade warns of a consumer backlash if users discover that the HD-capable TVs they have bought are unable to receive free-to-air HDTV and has demanded Government action to avoid a new digital divide.

"We've seen off the digital divide, only to see a high-definition divide open," says Grade. "HD will only be open to those willing to pay. What an own goal." µ