Channel 4 'wins new Freeview slot'

Channel 4 has successfully snagged the latest Freeview slot to be put up for grabs, according to a report in The Times.

The broadcaster is believed to have agreed to pay more than £10 million a year for the 18-hour window, which becomes available on November 24.

Initially the slot will house a timeshift of new factual station More4, which will most likely be replaced by a new entertainment channel early in 2006.

Channel 4 had been battling terrestrial rival Five for the space in the most expensive Freeview auction to date. The latter will still be able to launch its proposed digital spinoffs via a "strategic investment" in pay provider Top Up TV, agreed last week.