ITV and C4 battle it out for extra Freeview slot as Disney and Five lose out

by Sam Matthews, Brand Republic 24-Feb-05, 11:00

LONDON - ITV and Channel 4 have been shortlisted for the next available channel slot on digital TV service Freeview.

Crown Castle has been talking to ITV and Channel 4 about their proposals, but has not invited Five, Disney, Turner Broadcasting, Sit-Up TV and Top-Up TV to flesh out their propsals, according to Broadcast magazine.

ITV is likely to pitch a gaming channel or a version of Men & Motors, the Granada Sky Broadcasting-owned channel that offers cars, sport and adult entertainment.

Channel 4 is likely to pitch entertainment channel E4 or new gaming channel 9 Live to Castle.

The new channel slot is due to debut on April 1 2005 and the eventual buyer will be tied into an initial 12-month contract.

Broadcast company Crown Castle, which owns a stake in Freeview along with the BBC and BSkyB, is expected to make the announcement next week.

A slot on Freeview when it launched in October 2002 was originally worth £1m but because space is limited and digital terrestrial TV take-up has soared, the new slot is expected to be worth up to £5m.

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