Freeview channel slot up for grabs

by Tristan O'Carroll, Media Week 09-Oct-08, 11:05

LONDON - A new channel slot is to be auctioned off on Freeview, the UK's most popular digital TV platform, in a move that is likely to spark a multimillion-pound bidding war between broadcasters.

Arqiva, which operates two of the six multiplexes that make up Freeview, said the new channel would be available for use by February. The deadline for bids is 22 October. Arqiva expects to award the new channel before the end of the year.

Unlike cable and satellite, channel slots on Freeview are scarce because of a relative lack of bandwidth on digital terrestrial TV.

The channel opening will be a 24-hour slot and will be in addition to and existing services on Arqiva's multiplexes, thanks to improvements in compression technology.

In late 2005, Channel 4 and Five went head-to-head to bid for a free channel slot on Freeview, which Channel 4 reportedly won with a £10m-plus bid.