With the BBC, ITV and Channel Four all broadcasting in high definition it now seems that Channel 5 is preparing to enter the HD fray as today independent  TV regulator, Ofcom announced that it has made a provisional decision to reserve capacity in principal to the broadcaster, to provide new HD services on digital terrestrial television (DTT) from 2010. Ofcom’s decision to award a HD licence to Channel 5 is subject to it resolving certain key criteria related to its application, which must be resolved by the end of the year, however if all goes well we could seeing programs such as The Gadget Show, UEFA Europa League and CSI in HD very soon.
The initial first three HD services are expected to begin with the Granada region from late 2009, the rest of the UK will follow as each region switches to digital with nationwide coverage by 2012. Commenting of the decision Philip Graf, Chairman of Ofcom’s Content Board said: “This give Channel 5 the opportunity to join the other public service broadcasters in providing new services for viewers. It means more choice for TV viewers who will be able to watch in high definition popular programming, free to air through their television aerials.”
Ofcom is also talking to the BBC with a view to allowing HD services to be launched in other parts of the UK in advance of this timetable by the use of temporary frequency assignments at a number of main transmission sites. To access these new HD services on DTT, viewers will need a HD ready TV set and HD ready set-top box. The addition of Channel 5 to the HD line-up should help swell the already impressive high-def TV audience which (by the end of the first quarter of 2009) rose to an all time high, with over 1.8 million in total.