Channel 4 proposes Film4 HD for Freeview

Channel 4 and S4C have made a joint application for the fourth high definition channel on digital terrestrial television.

The proposed service would comprise an HD version of Film4, broadcasting 11am to 4am, and a four-hour block of children's programmes from 7am.

The remaining three hours, 4am to 7am, would feature "the most popular and valued HD programmes from the UK and abroad, drawn from our existing respective channels and supplemented with special acquiisitions from third parties".

Ultimately the service would use the three-hour window to broadcast video on demand content, subject to technical and funding feasibilities.

The joint venture could be on the air by late 2011 or early 2012, the pair said, "dependent on satisfactory funding solutions being put in place for both Channel 4 and S4C".

The BBC, ITV and Channel 4 have already been awarded one slot each on Freeview for simulcast of their respective HD services from later this year. The fourth slot is expected to become available in July 2010.

Applications for the fourth slot, for which Five also bid, closed yesterday. Ofcom is expected to reach a decision by April.