BBC unveils Freeview HD rollout timetable

The BBC has confirmed a rollout timetable for Freeview HD towards the aim of 98.5% UK coverage for the service by the end of the digital switchover in 2012.

As previously announced, the corporation intends to speed up the rollout by establishing targeted advance networks in London, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds/Bradford and Birmingham so households in these in key metropolitan areas can receive Freeview HD by the end of March 2010.

Most viewers will get access to the service in line with the existing switchover schedule, with homes in the North West (Winter Hill transmitter group) first to come online on December 2. The BBC further wants 50% of the UK population to be able to receive Freeview HD in time for the World Cup tournament in June next year.

Around 7% of the UK population who switched to digital signals prior to December will receive the service in a retrofitting programme due to be completed in a year's time.

By introducing the new DVB-T2 technology, capacity on the BBC's mux B will be increased by 67% to create space for bandwidth heavy high definition transmissions. In doing so, the UK will become the first country in the world to adopt the standard.

As viewers will have to purchase new equipment to receive Freeview HD signals, the BBC estimates that dedicated set top boxes will be available at retail outlets from early 2010. However, the Digital TV Group has previously suggested that two or three products will be on offer in time for Christmas this year.

"This is a terrific step forward, and it's a great achievement that the BBC and its partners have been able to work together to overcome some really difficult technical challenges to bring HD to the Freeview platform through world-leading innovation," said BBC chief operating officer Caroline Thomson.

"We're really excited about the prospect of seeing BBC HD and HD channels from the other public service broadcasters on Freeview next year."

DTG director general Richard Lindsay-Davies added: "This is a landmark moment in UK broadcasting history. The launch of Freeview HD consolidates the UK's position as a global leader in the deployment of digital television services.

"While this is a fantastic technical achievement, the success of any service is defined by the consumer experience. The World Cup in 2010 will be a key driver for Freeview HD takeup and broadcasters, platform operators and the consumer electronics industry have worked hard to ensure that it can be enjoyed in high definition on the Freeview platform."

Also commenting on the announcement, Freeview managing director Ilse Howling said: "This is great news for the millions of Freeview homes and viewers who are looking forward to getting high definition with no subscription next year."

The Freeview HD timetable in-full for all UK regions runs as follows:

ENGLAND

Manchester Winter Hill - December 2, 2009
London Crystal Palace (advance network) - December 2, 2009
Newcastle and Tyneside Pontop Pike (advance network) - February 2010
Leeds / Bradford Emley Moor (advance network) - March 2010
Birmingham Lichfield (advance network) - March 2010
Liverpool, central Lancashire, Cheshire, north Staffordshire Winter Hill relays (retrofit) - March 2010
Exeter, parts of Devon, Somerset, Dorset Stockland Hill (retrofit) - April 2010
Bristol, Somerset, Dorset, Wiltshire, Gloucestershire Mendip - April 2010
Devon, Cornwall, and the Isles of Scilly Beacon Hill, Caradon Hill, Huntshaw Cross and Redruth (retrofit) - August 2010
Cumbria and the Lake District Caldbeck (retrofit) - October 2010

Following this schedule, Freeview HD will then be implemented in line with the rest of the switchover programme:

2011 - Bedfordshire, Berkshire (parts), Buckinghamshire, Cambridgeshire,
East Anglia, East Midlands, East Yorkshire, Gloucestershire,
Herefordshire, Humberside, Lincolnshire, Northamptonshire, Oxfordshire,
Shropshire, South Yorkshire, Staffordshire (parts), Stoke-on-Trent, West
Midlands (remainder), and West Yorkshire (remainder).

2012 - Berkshire (remainder), County Durham, Greater London (remainder),
Hampshire, Isle of Wight, Kent, Northumberland, North Yorkshire, Surrey,
Sussex, Teesside, Tyneside.

WALES

Cardiff, Newport Wenvoe - March 2010
Swansea Kilvey Hill March (retrofit) - 2010
West and central Wales Blaenplwyf - March 2010
Carmarthenshire Carmel (retrofit) - April 2010
rest of Wales Long Mountain, Moel y Parc, Presely Mid (retrofit) - June 2010
Anglesey Llanddona (retrofit) - July 2010

SCOTLAND

Glasgow, central Scotland Black Hill (advance network) - February 2010
Shetland Bressay - May 2010
Orkney Keelylang Hill - May 2010
Caithness, North Sutherland Rumster Forest - June 2010
Lewis, Wester Ross, North West Sutherland, Western Isles Eitshal Skriaig - July 2010
Angus, Dundee, Perth, and parts of Fife Angus - August 2010
Aberdeenshire Durris - September 2010
Morayshire, Strathspey, and parts of Easter Ross Knockmore - October 2010
South West Scotland Caldbeck Scotland - October 2010
Inverness and the Great Glen Rosemarkie - October 2010
South West Highlands and Islands Torosay - October 2010
Scottish Borders Selkirk (retrofit) - November 2010 retrofit

Following this schedule, Freeview HD rolls out in line with the rest of the switchover programme until the whole of Scotland can receive the service by the end of Q2, 2011.

NORTHERN IRELAND

Freeview HD will rollout in line with the rest of the switchover programme so that the whole of Northern Ireland can receive the service by the end of 2012.

OTHER AREAS

Isle of Man Douglas (retrofit) - October 2010
Channel Islands Fremont Point - end 2010