Â鶹Éç

In advance of the roll-out of Freeview HD starting in December 2009, the Â鶹Éç will clear Multiplex B of all current Standard Definition (SD) streams.

This will result in the closure of one Â鶹Éç Red Button interactive video stream and the Â鶹Éç News Multiscreen stream.

The News Multiscreen will still be available on Sky and Virgin Media and its video content can be seen via Â鶹Éç Online.

The Â鶹Éç remains committed to delivering the very best video content to Freeview viewers via its remaining interactive stream.

While Multiplex B will be fully reserved for HD services in the parts of the UK that have been through digital switchover, the Â鶹Éç will, through a competitive tender, offer to the market the two vacant streams available in other parts of the UK in the interim period to 2012.

The two streams will be available in approximately 80% of the country from the end of 2009, and coverage will reduce to zero when switchover is complete in 2012.

The Â鶹Éç has launched its competitive bid process which will provide third parties the opportunity to launch new services for audiences in the UK.

Caroline Thomson, Chief Operating Officer for the Â鶹Éç, said: "The Â鶹Éç has identified an opportunity to release temporary spare spectrum capacity to any interested companies that wish to launch new services for audiences in the UK.

"Not only does this mean that we are ensuring that spectrum is used as efficiently as possible but it will also deliver better value for money for licence fee payers."

Notes to Editors

Multiplex B was awarded to the Â鶹Éç after the collapse of ITV Digital. It is one of two multiplexes held by the Â鶹Éç. It is licensed to Â鶹Éç Free-To-View Ltd (a wholly-owned Â鶹Éç company) by Ofcom.

Ofcom consulted on converting Multiplex B to HD on 21 November 2007. The Ofcom consultation can be found on its website at www.ofcom.org.uk/condocs/dttfuture.

The Â鶹Éç has published the invitation to tender in Broadcast magazine. Companies can register interest at MultiplexBCapacity@bbc.co.uk. Expressions of interest must be received by 4 November 2009.

Capacity Allocation Guidelines for Multiplex B from Free-To-View Ltd are available at www.bbc.co.uk/info/policies.

The Â鶹Éç Red Button interactive video stream and the Â鶹Éç News Multiscreen stream will be switched off on 27 October.

Â鶹Éç Press Office