New Freeview HD channels
June 27, 2014
By Colin Mann
Communications infrastructure and media services company Arqiva is launching two new HD channels – Channel 4 +1 HD and 4seven HD – on UK DTT platform Freeview.
The channels – airing on July 1st – will be available to over 70 per cent of the UK population from Arqiva’s newly-launched Freeview HD multiplex. These new channels are additional HD Freeview services on the new ‘COM7’ multiplex and will join the HD channels we already offer including BBC News HD and Al Jazeera English HD.
Arqiva’s Director of Digital Terrestrial Television, Mike Finchen said the continued roll-out of HD channels onto the Freeview platform provides audiences a richer and higher-quality viewing experience and would continue to provide a major incentive to the uptake of Freeview HD TVs. Keith Underwood, Director of Strategy and Technology at Channel 4, said the broadcaster was pleased to bolster the Freeview HD proposition with the launch of two new HD channels – Channel 4+1 HD and 4seven HD – which joined Channel 4 HD on the platform.
Over one third of Freeview homes are now able to watch many of their TV favourites in HD. Analysts predict that this will increase to over 80 per cent penetration by 2018.
Channel 4 +1 HD will be available on channel number 110 on Freeview and 4seven HD on 111.