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Freeview viewers across the UK will be able to watch high definition TV channels possibly as early as 2009.

New technology and a reorganisation of the way channels are allocated on digital terrestrial television platform will free up space for four Freeview HDTV services.

The first three HD channels will be available as digital switchover takes place in the Granada TV region in the north-west of England and subsequent regions from 2009. All four HD channels should be available across the country by the time digital switchover is due to be completed in 2012.

Viewers who want to watch the new channels will have to buy a new set-top box incorporating the superior MPEG-4 rather than MPEG-2 compression technology. MPEG-4 is twice as efficient as the MPEG-2 standard , while a new European transmission standard (DVB-T2) will increase capacity by 30%. These boxes are still being developed and discussions are taking place on when they will be available to buy in shops.

Freeview looks forward to working with the industry to bring this exciting and new TV viewing experience to the 18 million homes using the Freeview service.

More information is available here:

• Ofcom press release

Freeview HD latest

Freeview HD will give viewers access to subscription-free high definition channels from the BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and S4C in Wales in addition to more than 50 Freeview channels in standard definition. Capacity has also been provisionally reserved for Five to launch its proposed HD channel from late 2010.

Some early transmissions of Freeview HD have been agreed in London from December this year and in other major cities (Birmingham, Glasgow, Leeds/Bradford and Newcastle) ahead of the World Cup in June 2010.

The final roll-out schedule of Freeview HD across the UK is currently being finalised, but is expected to be broadly in line with the digital switchover process, starting in December 2009 and concluding in 2012.

What does "HD Ready" on a television mean?

The 'HD Ready' logo means that a television screen has sufficient resolution to display high definition pictures. However, if you have an 'HD Ready' TV it doesn't mean you can automatically receive HD services. You will still need the right kind of receiver, which will be included in a HD digital box.

You will need to purchase an HD digital box to get high definition channels on Freeview when it becomes available in your region. These boxes are still being developed and discussions are taking place on when they will be available to buy in shops.

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