Confirmed: Channel 4 wins new Freeview slot

As expected, Channel 4 has taken the latest Freeview slot to be put up for grabs.

The broadcaster is thought to have paid as much as £12 million per annum for the eighteen-hour window, which became available last Friday.

"This latest agreement demonstrates our commitment to delivering on one of our strategic objectives – maximising the value of our assets," said Steven Marshall, CEO of National Grid Wireless. "At the same time we have been able to provide viewers of the Freeview service with greater choice."

Initially Channel 4 will use the slot to launch a timeshift of new factual station More4 but is expected to replace it with a new multichannel offering some time next year.

"Capacity on Freeview is a scarce commodity and this deal allows us to accommodate our full current line-up of free channels on the platform and to keep our options open for further channel launches in the future," said C4 chief exec Andy Duncan. "We’re very confident that this investment will pay off with an increasingly strong showing for our channels in the digital TV homes.???