Freeview slot put up for auction

A new slot on digital terrestrial television is to be made available in January.

Arqiva, which operates multiplexes C and D, has called for interested parties to submit proposals by October 22 and it expects to award the channel before the end of the year.

A spokesperson for the company told DS that the slot is available for 24 hours a day and is in addition to - not replacing - the existing services on its multiplexes. It has become available because the "multiplexing and compression technology has improved" to the point where the carriage of another standard definition service is now possible.

Multiplex C currently carries Sky's bouquet of Freeview channels - Sky Three, Sky News and Sky Sports News - plus E4 +1 and some radio services on a 24 hour basis. Dave broadcasts between 7am and 3am and Smile TV is on the multiplex between 1am and 5am.

Multiplex D carries a variety of Bauer Radio services plus the BBC World Service, TMF, Ideal World, ITV2+1 and 4 Music 24 hours a day, plus limited hours services Virgin 1, Film4, Gems.tv and National Lottery Extra. 4TV's data services are also on the multiplex.