Channel 5 have today withdrawn their application to put C5-HD on DTT
Quote from Ofcom:-
Ofcom has been notified by Channel 5 Broadcasting Limited that it does not wish to proceed with its application for the fifth HD capacity slot on Digital Terrestrial TV at the present time.
Subject to any future Ofcom decision to re-advertise the slot, the capacity will remain with the Multiplex operator BBC Free-to-View Limited and can be used by it for BBC services or services provided by a third party via a commercial arrangement.
Typical! So no prospect of having all 5 main channels in HD anytime soon then. Channel 5 has chosen to stay in crappy
blur-o-vision for at least the forseeable future. Not that there's much on there that's really worth watching anyway!
I suspect Murdoch's Money Vultures may have influenced this decision.
No surprise - and for failing twice to keep their commitment they shouldn't get a chance at the next slot either.
So it seems the slot goes back to the BBC so maybe BBC HD will survive alongside BBC 2 HD, but really I think in terms of balance E4 HD or Film4 HD would boost the Freeview HD offering more.
No surprise - and for failing twice to keep their commitment they shouldn't get a chance at the next slot either.
So it seems the slot goes back to the BBC so maybe BBC HD will survive alongside BBC 2 HD, but really I think in terms of balance E4 HD or Film4 HD would boost the Freeview HD offering more.
Possible problem with a third BBC HD channel is platform neutrality, and of course the DQF cuts ?
The mooted BBC Olympics HD Red Button idea looks quite possible now. As for the period upto the relicence maybe a temporary allocation to UKTV for Dave HD on commercial terms would bring in some much welcome revenue to the Corporation.
I think if the channel goes to someone other than the BBC, ITV or C4 iit might be best for it to go to a channel not on Freeview in SD - though quality threshold wise only Watch HD springs to mind as none of the Sky channels would do it - other than perhaps Sky News as a blocking tactic for a more desirable channel.
As for the Olympics - short term it definitely makes sense for the BBC to hold on to it until the games are over and utilise the extra space, but it would be better as an extra stream (exclusively in HD - or perhaps 2-3 extra SD streams only available to those with HD boxes) rather than a simulcast of an SD screen. However I bet the BBC would just push ahead with the launch of BBC2 HD and use the third channel to screen BBC3 coverage, which originally would have been on BBC HD.
No surprise - and for failing twice to keep their commitment they shouldn't get a chance at the next slot either.
So viewers should lose out because commercial pressures meant C5 has had to withdraw two subsequent applications?
I hope Ofcom don't share your view. It should be about what adds the most value to the platform, and whether you personally enjoy Channel 5's output or not, with the ratings it has and the better mix of programmes it offers than most of the channels being suggested, any future attempt by the broadcaster to make the switch should be fully supported. C5 HD not being on Freeview is only good news for Sky/Virgin as it makes their premium packages more attractive.
As a regular 5 watcher I was very disappointed to hear this news today, but I'm encouraged that they state they hope to secure Freeview HD capacity in the future. So it's only off the agenda for now, and not forever. I just hope when the time is right, and hopefully sooner rather than later, the relevant capacity is available and Ofcom don't take a dim view for messing them about again this time.
Typical! So no prospect of having all 5 main channels in HD anytime soon then. Channel 5 has chosen to stay in crappy
blur-o-vision for at least the forseeable future. Not that there's much on there that's really worth watching anyway!
I suspect Murdoch's Money Vultures may have influenced this decision.
Why do you suspect that? If anybody is less likely to be influenced by Murdoch, it's Desmond.
Perhaps Channel 5 have done their sums and found that the vast majority of viewers who are bothered enough by HD to replace a perfectly good CRT set with a brand new HD set are also likely to be viewers who are not phased by paying a premium for the content.
Perhaps Channel 5 have done their sums and found that the vast majority of viewers who are bothered
enough by HD to replace a perfectly good CRT set with a brand new HD set are also likely to be
viewers who are not phased by paying a premium for the content.
I've put two Full HD1080 TV's in place of two CRT's, and I've no intention of paying any extra specifically for HD content.
Murdoch's Money Vultures will get
nothing
from me anytime soon, if at all, for any HD content that they provide.
Perhaps Channel 5 have done their sums and found that the vast majority of viewers who are bothered
enough by HD to replace a perfectly good CRT set with a brand new HD set are also likely to be
viewers who are not phased by paying a premium for the content.
I've put two Full HD1080 TV's in place of two CRT's, and I've no intention of paying any extra specifically for HD content.
Murdoch's Money Vultures will get
nothing
from me anytime soon, if at all, for any HD content that they provide.
You can always get Virgin Media TV, as you can tell from my username, I have it and it's brilliant. Channel 5 HD is on there and the high definition is absolutely stunning on the handful of shows I watch on it every year.
Perhaps Channel 5 have done their sums and found that the vast majority of viewers who are bothered
enough by HD to replace a perfectly good CRT set with a brand new HD set are also likely to be
viewers who are not phased by paying a premium for the content.
I've put two Full HD1080 TV's in place of two CRT's, and I've no intention of paying any extra specifically for HD content.
Murdoch's Money Vultures will get
nothing
from me anytime soon, if at all, for any HD content that they provide.
You needn't pay them anything to receive Channel 5 HD (along with everything else Freeview HD offers) if you're really that bothered.