Hi-def.man
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Mar 17, 2007, 12:43 PM
Post #1 of 3
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Stop the creation of 2nd class Freeview TV!
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Isn't time we complained about what the UK government, (via Ofcom) is about to do! See the following newspaper article: -
Executives from ITV, the BBC and Channel 4 met DTI Minister Margaret Hodge in an eleventh-hour plea for guaranteed spectrum to supply free high-definition (HD) television. The broadcasters warned that Ofcom's proposals to auction off a huge slice of the airwaves ahead of analogue switch-off would leave them unable to offer HD, with its superior pictures and sound, to Freeview viewers.
They fear that wealthy mobile phone companies would outbid them, leaving Sky and cable as the only available routes for those customers wanting HD. Their "HD for All" pressure group wants a third of the capacity between 470MHz and 862MHz set aside for HD broadcasts on Freeview, the fast-growing free-to-air digital terrestrial service that boasts 9m viewers. The group, which also includes manufacturers such as Sony and retailers such as Dixons owner DSG International, says that would be enough to support five new HD channels [allowing BBC1 and 2, ITV1, Channel 4 and Five to be offered in HD].
“HD for All” stepped up its lobbying campaign ahead of a critical deadline next week. Responses must be in by Tuesday to Ofcom's proposals on the broadcast spectrum that comes free between 2008 and 2012 as terrestrial television converts to digital. The media regulator has argued that a free-for-all auction will ensure the spectrum goes to whichever organisations value it most. Spectrum would also be tradeable and could be used for any legal purpose.
Unveiling the plans before Christmas, Ofcom chief executive Ed Richards said setting aside spectrum for any particular usage - such as HD - presumed ''a level of insight, indeed omniscience, that we do not have'.' He has since faced criticism over what will be the biggest change in the way Britain's airwaves are managed for almost half a century HD For All refused to comment on yesterday's meeting but released new research claiming that HD has more mass market appeal than Ofcom believes. It said that 96pc of Freeview users, 91pc of Sky satellite users and 92pc of cable users want HD to be available on Freeview.
A spokesman added: ''Nine million-plus Freeview television viewers will feel cheated when they discover they will be unable to watch programmes in HD if plans by Ofcom go ahead. "This year 4m HD-Ready TV sets are expected to be sold in the UK, up from 2.4m in 2006.
But Ofcom's plans mean that Freeview viewers who have bought HD-Ready TV sets will be forced to pay for a satellite or cable subscription."
Ofcom has said it would be technically possible, to offer up to five HD channels on Freeview at switchover without the need for more spectrum. It publishes final proposals this summer.
Why should Saterllite & Cable & maybe the phone companies have it all their own way
Maybe those of us in the UK who will suffer, should complain to our MP's/Ofcom before it too late?
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