Fifth HD Channel on DTT

Certainly, the fact it's PSB capacity means it cannot go to a non-PSB or a pay channel.

Interestingly, Ofcom's process includes assessing how the extra channel would add to PSB in some way.

Five could just about advance their spurious arguments for being a PSB but Film 4 and More 4 have got claims too. But it would be hard to make such a claim for say ITV2, which has never claimed to be a PSB.

As the technical capacity exists for a fifth channel, I'm sure it would be used if 3, 4 or 5 don't want it. The obvious thing would be for the BBC HD Channel to become BBC2 HD - which it's becoming by default anyway - and for th third stream to be CBBC HD in daytime with the exisiting HD Channel restricted to the evenings and concentrating on BBC3 and BBC4 output. However any big changes to BBC services await Delivering Quality First....

I do think it's very difficult to justify three of the five HD channels on Freeview belonging to the BBC. With ITV2-4 tiedi n with Sky HD, it's a straight shoot out between C4 and C5 for it IMO - the only question is what C4 put on it. Considering they've left More4 so long before launching More4 HD it's difficult to justify that. HD film is the obvious sellnig point for Film4 HD - but I think though the less PSB of C4's suite, E4 HD is probably the easiest to justify, especially as they're making home grown drama in HD.

I don't think it would be hard to justfiy giving the space to the BBC if it turns out that the commercial PSBs don't want it.... unless your name's Rupert or James!

Fair point about E4 having claims too. Question is whether C4 would want to make E4HD free to air of course.

Will be interesting to see how much interest there is.

C5 have applied today:-

http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/spectrum/spectrum-policy-area/projects/dtv/third/ITA3-c5.pdf

Think now the Europa League coverage has been lost I'd prefer a best of ITV2 and ITV4 channel myself.

Well seemingly Ch5 are the sole applicants according to Ofcom, unless they are slow in publishing any further ones. Ah well.

I think ITV4 HD would be more welcome on DTT, with the amount of sport the channel broadcasts.

Unfortunately though I can't see ITV going for it due to their deal with Sky HD.

According to this article, Channel 5 have been awareded the HD slot on freeview:

http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2011/11/01/channel-5-takes-freeview-hd-slot/

Ugh, don't like the sound of JML HD.

With capacity so scarce, I hope this is flatly rejected.

I think with the pretty decent success Channel 5 have had with programming such as Big Brother and The Bachelor in HD, gaining double their average viewers from them, the slot will come in handy for the station.

Didn't I mention that Dirty Des' primary objective was to sell and exploit the gifted spectrum that came with Channel5?

Well I did, but I'll say it again.

Now a smart person would realise that by asking if he can re-sell the daytime capacity (highly unlikely to be granted), he's given himself bargaining room to accept the Ofcom "compromise" of re-selling night time capacity.

...and bingo-bango-bongo he's selling filth through the night via one of his pornography houses.

I take no pleasure from being so sagacious, you know. It's a burden, if anything.