[justjax]

Sorry if this has been covered, but its not easy to search the words channel 5 HD and bring up the relevant thread.

Anyway, the question .. whats the latest in terms of Channel 5 HD appearing on Freeview. If I recall under the old management they opted not to launch anything and therefore forfited their slot. But now that Desmond & Co are running things I'm wondering what the new owners postion is on launching in HD on Freeview? Assuming they now want to go ahead, when is the earliest we are likey to see it?

[xtaz]

There is a 5th HD freeview slot being made available in 2012. But I can't remember exactly when in 2012. Probably after the olympics are over I would guess so that the beeb can use the bandwidth in the meantime for 3D or something. Whilst channel 5 is probably the most likely candidate there is nothing to say it will be them though. It could just as likely be E4 or Film4.

[justjax]

Thanks, shame it could be 2012 and perhaps not even then. It would seem logical to ensure all 5 main channels are offered before the likes of E4, etc getting a slot, but hey thats IMHO.

I actually don't really watch much C5, but I do have a new Freeview HD capable TV and if I were to succumb to watching the new series of Big Brother on C5, then it would have been nice to watch it in glorious HD. Nevermind ..

[xtaz]

Well. The probability is that it *will* be Channel 5. And I would certainly prefer it to be C5 over E4 or Film4 myself as I watch much more on C5. As you say it would make the most sense. But only if they are serious about launching it. They may dither about again and it'll get offered to someone else. Big Brother probably won't make much difference though as the in house cameras are all just going to be SD anyway. Would most likely only be the studio shots that would be HD. But as it's not filmed in an official HD kitted out studio and it's basically a makeshift outside broadcast even that might not be HD capable.

Also whilst a 5th channel would completely fill the available HD bandwidth available right now doesn't mean that will be the last channel. It just needs another MUX to convert to DVB-T2 and then you have some more available. Bound to happen at some point in the future when they think enough people have DVB-T2 capable PVR's and TV's that it wouldn't annoy too many people.

[gomezz]

But Five do not have much in the way of HD programming to take advantage of an HD slot do they?

[andy12345]

Big Brother cameras have been upgraded to HD

[xtaz]

Originally Posted by gomezz

But Five do not have much in the way of HD programming to take advantage of an HD slot do they?

I watched C5-HD on Sky for a year or so before I cancelled Sky and just went with Freeview only. There is actually quite a lot. Depends on what you watch. Stuff like restaurant/hotel inspector was HD. Any films they show are usually HD.

Actually I could still get C5-HD if I use the Sky box as it works without a subscription but I can't be bothered to turn it on now I have a freeview PVR.

[reslfj]

Originally Posted by xtaz

Well. The probability is that it *will* be Channel 5. ...

This time the cost will be only 1/5 - 20% of PSB-3 down from the present 1/4 - 25% of PSB-3.

Originally Posted by xtaz

It just needs another MUX to convert to DVB-T2 and then you have some more available. Bound to happen at some point in the future when they think enough people have DVB-T2 capable PVR's and TV's that it wouldn't annoy too many people.

When PSB-3 is fully used and with already 2 million DVB-T2 receivers in the UK and after the London Olympics and the final DSO - it will more be "which mux next?" and "do we really need much simulcast?"

Lars

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally Posted by justjax

Sorry if this has been covered, but its not easy to search the words channel 5 HD and bring up the relevant thread.

Anyway, the question .. whats the latest in terms of Channel 5 HD appearing on Freeview. If I recall under the old management they opted not to launch anything and therefore forfited their slot. But now that Desmond & Co are running things I'm wondering what the new owners postion is on launching in HD on Freeview? Assuming they now want to go ahead, when is the earliest we are likey to see it?

Their slot was given to the BBC instead - adding a fifth HD channel will just further reduce the quality of the HD channels

[Muzer]

IIRC, the original idea was for there to be 5 HD channels - it was expected that four would be the maximum for the first few years, then predicted encoder improvements would allow room for a fifth with not much visible loss in quality.

Whether or not that happens in practice, though, is another matter...

[chrisy]

The space is up for grabs by any PSB, Ofcom is supposed to be advertising it this year for an expected 2012 launch.

It isn't guaranteed to be C5 HD, they might not even apply for it this time.

[a516]

I thought I read on here a while back that BBC-B (HD Mux) contained a lot of null packets (void space), so that when a fifth stream was introduced, there wouldn't be too much capacity taken off the existing four streams.

[Scrapanatchi]

channel 6 HD might get it...

[hazzamon]

QVC HD.

[Mark C]

Originally Posted by hazzamon

QVC HD.

Don't joke, they're building a new HD studio complex in Hammersmith !

[CuBz90]

Sorry to bump an old post (no point in making a thread about it if one already exists) but I was wondering if there was any present news on Channel 5 HD coming to freeview?

[TV Time Mike]

I don't think there is at this time, it would appear that the fifth HD slot is still available at this time, based on some earlier posts that I haven't seen any updates on.

It could depend how cost effective it is to make this available on freeview with the cost of channel space being fairly high equally there may not be much call for it at this time relative to the extra income the HD channel may generate.

[Nigel Goodwin]

Originally Posted by TV Time Mike

It could depend how cost effective it is to make this available on freeview with the cost of channel space being fairly high equally there may not be much call for it at this time relative to the extra income the HD channel may generate.

It's unlikely to generate any income, far more likely it would simply drain money from CH5 - hence them declining the slot.

[Mark C]

Originally Posted by CuBz90

Sorry to bump an old post (no point in making a thread about it if one already exists) but I was wondering if there was any present news on Channel 5 HD coming to freeview?

The slot on the T2 HD mux is still up for grabs, they can bid for it if they wish, but they've turned it down on past auctions

http://www.cable.co.uk/news/bbc-invi...lot-801336331/

Current speculation is that E4 or Film 4 are most likely to win the slot

[figrin_dan]

4 are currently using it for the Superhumans.

[Dansky+HD]

Originally Posted by Scrapanatchi

channel 6 HD might get it...

I'd much prefer keeping BBC HD
(for mix of CBEEBIES & CBBC also BBC Three & BBC Four)
& the incoming BBC Two HD for the whole of the UK
(basically no regional opt outs anymore)

All 24 hrs preferably so repeats through the nights for programmes not simulcast.

Licence fee should be worth it. This would help.

I must just say that the above won't happen unfortunately.

[Restorer]

Even if C5 have changed their minds I'm not sure the BBC and Ofcom would risk them pulling out a third time.

Also remember Five were the only ones interested last time around so there must be a possibility that there will be no apllicants at all!

[mossy2103]

Originally Posted by Restorer

Also remember Five were the only ones interested last time around so there must be a possibility that there will be no apllicants at all!

It would be interesting to see what the BBC would do in that scenario

[Restorer]

Originally Posted by mossy2103

It would be interesting to see what the BBC would do in that scenario

Well it's supposed to be for PBS use but who knows: HD porn? HD shopping?

[mossy2103]

Originally Posted by Restorer

Well it's supposed to be for PBS use but who knows: HD porn? HD shopping?

Well, if no-one's interested ......

And the BBC would have certain standards to adhere to anyway.