The
changing face of ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TV and Radio
All
of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s digital channels can now be accessed for free on Freeview,
the new digital terrestrial television service. Widening the availability
of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s services is in line with the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s remit to drive digital
take up in the UK.
The Freeview package includes the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s eight digital television
channels - ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ ONE, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ TWO, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Choice, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ FOUR, CBeebies, CÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½,
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ News 24 and ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Parliament - plus interactivity from ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½i and
seven ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ radio networks - ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Radio Five Live, Five Live Sports
Extra, 1Xtra, 6 Music, ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World Service (in English), ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Asian
Network and the soon-to-be-launched ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ 7.
The
launch of Freeview provides viewers and listeners with another way
to access the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s digital channels. This means there are now three
ways to access the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s digital services: satellite, cable and
Freeview (DTT).
Greg
Dyke, Director-General ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½, said: "Today is an important day
in the development of British television with the launch of Freeview
- a new digital platform which means that 75% of homes in Britain
will now be able to receive digital television completely free.
"It's
also a big step forward for the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½, making all of the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s digital
television, interactive and radio services available to many more
people at no extra cost."
Andy
Duncan, Director ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Marketing & Communications, said: "Freeview
is a fresh start for digital terrestrial television in the UK -
providing a simple way for people way to see all the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s digital
channels.
"Over the coming weeks, a heavyweight ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ marketing campaign
will inform viewers and listeners of the exciting digital services
available from the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ and how you can get them."
Peter
Davies, Director ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Strategy & Distribution, said: "We
have done a lot of work over the past few months to ensure that
as many people as possible can receive the new service.
"As
a result, 75% of homes in the UK will be within the coverage area
of all of the Freeview channels, although some will need a new aerial
to receive the service.
"The
Freeview website ()
allows viewers and retailers to check whether they live in a coverage
area." (The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ is not responsible for the content
of external internet sites)
Information
regarding the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s digital channels and how to access them can
be found on
.
Notes
to Editors
Freeview is managed by a consortium - DTV Services Ltd - comprising
the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½, Crown Castle and BSkyB as equal partners.
Freeview
is a simple way to get digital television. It offers UK homes up
to 30 digital channels (tv and text), plus interactivity and 12
radio networks, all free and delivered to televisions through rooftop
aerials.
Related Stories
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ World Service on Freeview digital line-up (27.10.02)
Freeview to launch on
30 October (03.10.02)
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ and Crown Castle
name "Freeview" (19.08.02)
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ and Crown Castle
to champion digital for everyone (04.07.02)
ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ and Crown
Castle submit complementary applications for digital terrestrial
television licences (13.06.02)
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