<font color=cc0000>UPDATED:</font> Freeview to launch at end of month

Updated: 12:37

Freeview, the new Digital Terrestrial service backed by the BBC, Crown Castle and BSkyB, has today released details about its planned launch.

The company announced that it intends to launch the service on October 30th. In this announcement is also revealed its complete channel lineup.

New channels from EMAP, MTV, UKTV and Flextech complete the lineup. EMAP will offer the service a new music channel call 'The Hits', and had thought that it was to be the only Music channel on the new platform. However MTV finally agreed terms with Freeview this morning, and managed to SMS their annoucement to the Freeview press conference just as it was about to close. MTV's new channel will be called 'The Music Factory' and is based on an existing service it runs in Holland and Belgium.

UKTV will, as previously known, be including the new UK History, as well as a new channel called UK Home Style. Flextech's offering will be in the entertainment arena with a completely new channel called FTN.

Along with these, the lineup will include commercial radio services Kerrang!, Smash Hits, Kiss, Oneword and Jazz FM, joining the already announced offering from BBC Radio.

However, the announced lineup does differ from the original submission to the ITC. Noticably the Turner channels (Boomerang, TCM and CNN) are now missing. Press reports indicate that Turner and Freeview are still in negotiations for the last slot on the platform, so it is possible that another broadcaster and channel could slip in.

Speaking at the announcement, Andy Duncan, Marketing and Communications Director, said: "Freeview is a fresh start for digital terrestrial television - providing a simple way for people way to see all eight of the BBC's digital television channels, including the soon to launch BBC Three, and to listen to BBC digital radio stations."

"It will also offer interactive services, linked to a wide range of BBC programmes from sport to children's and documentaries."

BSkyB's Chief Operating Officer, Richard Freudenstein, said: "Freeview is a distinctive addition to Europe's most advanced digital television market. Sky looks forward to bringing three of our basic-tier channels to digital terrestrial television for the first time and extending the benefits of increased choice to still more UK viewers."

Channel Lineup
Entertainment
BBC One
BBC Two
BBC Choice/Three
ITV 1
ITV 2
Channel 4
Five
S4C (Wales Only)
Sky Travel
UK Homestyle
FTN

Citizenship
BBC Parliament (including Video)
Community Channel
S4C2 (Wales Only)

News and Sports
BBC News 24
Sky News
Sky Sports News
ITN

Music
The Hits
The Music Factory

Factual
BBC Four
UK History

Other
QVC
TV Travelshop

Children
CBBC
CBeebies

Radio
BBC 1Xtra
BBC 6 Music
BBC Asian Network
BBC Radio Five Live
BBC Radio Five Live Sports Extra
BBC 7
Smash Hits
Kerrang
Kiss
Oneword
Jazz FM