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19|04|06

Deregulation for pay TV channels on Digital Terrestrial Television

Ofcom today announced it intends to deregulate the current rules restricting pay TV channels from being broadcast on Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT), commonly known as Freeview.

DTT is transmitted on television multiplexes which are licensed by Ofcom under the Broadcasting Act 1996. Three of the six multiplex licences (multiplexes B, C and D) contain a requirement that all the channels they carry must be free-to-air.

These licences were awarded in 2002 by Ofcom’s predecessor the Independent Television Commission (ITC). In deciding on the awards the ITC considered a number of factors including the promotion and development of DTT.

Since 2002, DTT has developed rapidly and over six million households now receive a wide choice of programming, on both free-to-air and pay channels. Digital television has also developed significantly on other platforms such as satellite, cable and broadband and almost 18 million UK households now watch digital television.

Having considered the responses received during consultation Ofcom believes that the current restriction on pay TV channels is no longer a matter requiring regulatory intervention and that finding the right balance between pay and free-to-air services on the DTT platform can be better left to the market.

The obligation on the public service broadcasting channels (BBC, ITV, C4, Five, S4C and Public Teletext) to remain free-to-air is unchanged.

The full statement is available from the Related Items.

Ends.

Notes for Editors and CSEs
  1. A multiplex is a broadcast digital signal containing a number of television programmes, radio and data services. Of the six digital terrestrial television multiplexes, five are licensed by Ofcom (formerly by the ITC) and one (Multiplex 1) is granted to the BBC by the Government.
  2. MULTIPLEX B: operated by BBC Free to View Ltd currently carries:

Television and interactive services:

Radio services:

MULTIPLEX C: operated by National Grid Wireless Ltd (until recently called Crown Castle UK Ltd) currently carries:

Television and interactive services:

Radio services:

MULTIPLEX D: operated by National Grid Wireless Ltd (until recently called Crown Castle UK Ltd) currently carries:

Television and interactive services:

Radio services:


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