Borders MP concerned over 'Freeview Lite'

Borders MP Michael Moore has expressed concern that some areas will not receive the full complement of Freeview multiplexes after digital switchover.

Current switchover plans will see three public service multiplexes made available to 98.6% of the UK population from over 1,150 transmitter sites by the completion of the process in 2012. However, the three commercial multiplexes will be broadcast from far fewer transmitter sites, and will reach 90% of UK homes. However, commercial coverage will vary widely across the country: 93% of English homes will receive the multiplexes, with that number dropping to 88% in Scotland, 75% in Northern Ireland and 73% in Wales. Some parts of southern England, mostly in the Meridian and Anglia regions, will also have patchy commercial multiplex coverage because of international frequency use restrictions related to French television broadcasts.

When the plan was announced, Ofcom said that the commercial multiplex operators are required only to ensure their coverage does not decrease during switchover, so it is powerless to require a more comprehensive coverage solution.

Moore, who represents Berwickshire, Roxburgh and Selkirk, raised the issue in the House of Commons and dubbed the public service multiplexes "Freeview Lite". A petition submitted by the MP said: "Many people in this area receive their television picture from a relay transmitter, but after switchover they will not receive all the available channels on Freeview. Instead, they will receive a much reduced service known as ‘Freeview Lite’. Many channels enjoyed by viewers elsewhere will not be available to viewers who rely on relay transmitters for their television picture."

By response, culture secretary Andy Burnham replied: "Coverage by the commercial multiplex operators is a commercial matter for them, although coverage levels post switchover cannot fall below current levels. That is as a minimum, they must broadcast from the 81 main transmitter sites, which gives 90% household coverage. In deciding whether to go beyond this level, they must make a judgment about the necessary investment needed to generate a marginal increase in coverage from each transmitter converted. It is worth noting that even if the multiplex operators were willing to build out the transmission network, there is only sufficient spectrum to enable coverage to be extended to 95% of households.

"Digital UK will be making it clear to people who want more channels that they will still have a number of options for going digital, including non-subscription services such as PSB Freesat or Freesat from Sky. Digital Satellite services are available now to 98% of UK households."

A subsequent adjournment debate on the matter in the House of Commons failed to generate any additional response. Moore said afterwards: "On the issue of ‘Freeview Lite’, [the minister] failed to deal with any of the points I made, including trying to find out how much it would cost to put the three commercial multiplexes on the relay transmitters. Until we know this, how can we judge whether the commercial operators are right to say they cannot afford to do it, and how can we judge whether the Government can step in in their place?"