ITV HD launch scheduled for near future

ITV HD is scheduled to begin broadcasting its regular schedule on Freesat, accessible solely via ITV's red button interactive services, in "a few weeks", it was confirmed today.

Freesat managing director Emma Scott said ITV would be releasing further details of its high definition channel, and commence full broadcasting, in "hopefully a few weeks time".

She confirmed it would be accessible via the red button rather than given an individual EPG slot and that it would initially be viewable exclusively on Freesat equipment.

ITV executive chairman Michael Grade said: "We will launch our HD service with an unrivalled line up of premium football including the FA Cup, England internationals and UEFA Champions League from next season."

Grade did not rule out negotiations for carriage on Sky in the future, however, and said: "We are a commercial organisation and won't give it to Sky for nothing."

Humax, whose Freesat personal video recorder is expected to be the first available when it is released some time in the summer, said it would be able to record ITV HD.

Since last week, Digital Spy forum members have been able to view test transmissions for the service using personal computer-based digital satellite receivers.