HD on Freeview

Ofcom has today published a second consultation on a BBC proposal to control how its and other broadcasters high definition content is made available on Freeview.

HD programmes have already begun to be broadcast on Freeview in parts of the country and HD Freeview boxes will be available in the shops in the next few months.

Today’s consultation asks whether the BBC, through its subsidiary BBC Free to View Ltd, should be granted a change to its multiplex licence.

Content management technology

The BBC’s proposals would allow it to require the use of content management technology in HD receivers to control the way films and TV shows are copied onto, for example Blue-ray DVDs and shared with others over the internet.

Under the BBC proposals, viewers would still be able to record the BBC’s and other free to air broadcasters HD content onto their digital video recorders.

The BBC argues that this would ensure that rights holders, such as film and TV production companies, provide the widest possible range of HD content on the digital terrestrial TV platform.

Read the full consultation

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