Compromising an HD version of Film 4 along with a four hour block of children's programmes from 7am along with a 4am to 7am window, Channel 4 and S4C have submitted a bid for the fourth high definition channel on digital terrestrial television (Freeview).
Channel 4 propose to use the remaining three hours of the slot (4am - 7am) to broadcast video on demand content featuring "the most popular and valued HD programmes from the UK and abroad, drawn from our existing respective channels and supplemented with special acquisitions from third parties".
The announcement from channel 4 follows confirmation from the media regulator Ofcom in December 2008 that capacity would be available for a fourth high definition channel to launch on digital terrestrial television in July 2010.
Channel 4, along with the BBC and ITV have already been awarded one slot each on HD Freeview. All three broadcasters plan to use the available slots to simulcast their channels in HD. The fourth slot is expected to become available in July 2010.
The first to benefit from Freeview HD will be viewers in the ITV Granada region where switchover will be taking place in autumn 2009. Wales, Scotland and the West Country will follow Granada in 2010. ITV Central, Yorkshire, Anglia and Meridian will complete the switchover in 2011 followed by London, Tyne Tees and Ulster in 2012.
Applications for the fourth terrestrial Freeview slot have now closed and along with Channel 4, Five have also submitted a bid. Ofcom will announce its decision around April this year and broadcasting will begin late 2011.
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