Crown Castle makes Freeview channel available

DTT operator Crown Castle is creating space for an extra channel on Freeview, the Media Guardian reports today.

Developments in compression technology have allowed room to squeeze in one further channel, which could begin broadcasting as soon as April 1.

"Since 2002 there's been a number of developments in multiplexing technology that now make an additional channel feasible," a Crown Castle spokesman told the website.

Potential bidders for the broadcasting space, which has an 18-hour daily timeslot, include ITV, Disney, C4 and Five.

ITV has revealed plans to launch a fourth station some time this year while Disney is keen to expand the hours of its new entertainment station ABC1. Channel 4 already has spare capacity on the platform but is still said to be "interested" in the proposals. Five, meanwhile, is gearing up to launch its own multichannel offerings.

Freeview recently posted an increase in reach to 5 million households.