Now that we all know at least four high-def stations are
set to launch on the free-to-air Freeview HD service during 2009 - 2010, we have a feeling we'll see a whole host of newcomers joining the fold (or, at least we hope). As fate would have it, Discovery has decided that it'll launch its first FTA channel in the UK "early next year" after securing capacity on multiplex A, which is operated by ITV subsidiary SDN. Unfortunately, there's no sign of Discovery HD following suit, but surely it's not
too far behind, right?
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Maff @ Oct 20th 2008 2:53AM
there's no chance that Discovery HD will launch on Freeview unless the whole of freeview is re-done with DVB-T2 or the government let the freed up space from analogue go to digital TV which they're too greedy to let happen
there will be 4 maybe 5 HD channels at the most, Discovery won't be able to outbid the likes of Sky or the terrestrial channels for the slots
DrXym @ Oct 20th 2008 5:05AM
This news makes it sound like Discovery is SD since they're talking about a slot on an existing multiplex. DVB-T and DVB-T2 can co-exist though on different multiplexes. So they could offer some HD channels and some SD channels. With digital switch over happening perhaps there is enough bandwidth in the analogue spectrum to ensure at least 5 or 6 HD channels over the next few years.
I think the scope on satellite must be a lot better though. Sky's HD service is expensive and pretty poor. I can well see Freesat doing very well if it offered enough HD channels through a FTA service.
I wonder how much money Discovery get from the Sky sub and if they're anticipating that Freeview / Freesat will provide a sufficiently large audience that they can work off just ad revenue. Even if it was just one channel it would be something.
Multi-format-mayhem @ Oct 20th 2008 6:06AM
Maff @ Oct 20th 2008 2:53AM
"....or the government let the freed up space from analogue go to digital TV which they're too greedy to let happen."
Yeah Maff, of course.
Perhaps you reckon they shouldn't bother selling off public assets for a reasonable sum
(the last time - G3 - it was done by free auction)?
Our Govs are pumping literally hundreds of billions of public money into the private sector right now to bail out their disastrous mistakes but getting a fair deal for the taxpayer that owns these valuable assets is just "greed" to you, eh?
Perhaps we ought to just give the bandwidth away (or near as dammit) and just hope that all those private TV Co.s suddenly get a conscience about it all & let us have a couple more HD freeview channels out of the goodness of their hearts?
Bound to happen.
Not.