Channel 4 and Five compete for HD Freeview slot

Channel 4 and Five are competing for the final available slot for a high-definition TV channel on Freeview.

Channel 4 and Welsh counterpart S4C have made a joint application to Ofcom for the fourth and, for now, final available HD channel slot on the digital terrestrial TV platform.

The planned service would consist of an HD version of Film4, between 11am and 4am, plus a block of children's programmes between 7am and 11am.

Ultimately, the hours between 4am and 7am will be used to provide a free-to air video-on-demand service, it said, "as and when the technology becomes available".

The Channel 4/S4C venture could be on the air by late 2011 or early 2012.

Meanwhile, Five has submitted plans to launch a simulcast of its existing linear channel, Five. Between 6pm and 11pm the HD channel would simulcast Five programming, featuring shows such as drama, Uefa Cup football and Fifth Gear. And between 6am and 5pm, it said a HD service would be "supplied by another broadcaster" without detailing further what form this would take.

Like Channel 4, it plans eventually to launch a VoD service using the Freeview slot.

The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 have already been awarded one slot each on Freeview for simulcast of their HD services from later this year. The fourth slot is expected to become available in July 2010.

Source: BrandRepublic