HIGH DEFINITION TELEVISION ON FREEVIEW

That this House recognises the superior picture quality provided by high definition television (HDTV), which is set to become the worldwide industry standard; notes predictions that 10 million households will have HD-ready televisions by 2010 and the success of Freeview, currently estimated to be in more than 9.3 million homes; further notes the expectation of many consumers who have bought HD ready televisions that they will be able to receive HDTV via Freeview after switchover; is concerned by Ofcom's claim that, following switchover, the public service broadcasters, the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Channel 5, will be able to broadcast up to five HD channels on Freeview; believes such a statement will only be valid if the number of channels and interactive services are drastically cut, potentially undermining the switchover process; believes that the combination of Ofcom's preference for a simple sale of spectrum freed up by digital switchover, and the additional costs of production and transmission in HD, may mean that public service broadcasters simply cannot afford the additional spectrum necessary to provide HD via Freeview; and calls on the Secretary of State to ensure that digital switchover is not undermined by the prospect of millions of television viewers, who either cannot afford, or do not want to receive, television by satellite being consigned to a second class service by requiring Ofcom to provide a fair allocation of spectrum for HD on Freeview.