Updated | Spare capacity on Freeview is set to be filled with new channels as further broadcasters request Ofcom broadcast licences.
- Holding an Ofcom “DTPS” licence is a prerequisite for launching a channel on Freeview.
- Spare capacity has been left on the platform after TalkTV and Seen On TV closed.
- Rewind TV issues possible teaser for Freeview launch.
Archive entertainment channel Rewind TV and religious channel Sonlife are the latest broadcasters to request broadcast licences to operate a linear channel on Freeview. This follows the news that UKTV’s Eden has also recently obtained a Freeview broadcast licence.
Rewind TV launched earlier this year on Sky, albeit as a free-to-air channel that’s also available without a valid Sky subscription card. It showcases vintage drama, documentaries and comedy, with its schedule including Return of The Saint, Drop The Dead Donkey, Whose Line Is It Anyway? and Whicker’s World.
RXTV has reached out to Rewind about its plans. However, the channel has posted a teaser on social media mimicking the recent Oasis reunion announcement. This time though, the date in question is also the day of the next scheduled Freeview monthly channel update (3rd Wednesday of the month).
Sonlife authorised to operate regular broadcast channel
Meanwhile, Sonlife already operates on Freeview as a hybrid streaming channel, but its new Freeview licence would allow it to operate as a regular broadcast channel. Al Jazeera English is another example of a channel that features on Freeview’s channel list as a regular broadcast channel (channel 235) and as a hybrid streaming channel (channel 251).
Broadcasters who want their channels to be included on Freeview require a Digital Television Programme Service (DTPS) licence. This is different to the TLCS Ofcom licence required for cable, satellite and IPTV platforms. Meanwhile, hybrid streaming channels operate under a Digital Television Additional Service (DTAS) licence.
Once broadcasters have a DTPS licence, they also need to secure capacity on a Freeview multiplex. Arqiva and ITV subsidiary SDN are the main gatekeepers of Freeview capacity for commercial broadcasters.
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Filling empty slots
As recently reported by RXTV, capacity on Freeview has become available after a spate of channel closures. Shopping channel Seen on TV closed after just a few weeks on air. The channel had taken over Earthx TV’s bandwidth after it abruptly dropped off Freeview earlier this year. Meanwhile, further capacity has been vacant since TalkTV switched to streaming-only at the end of April. With larger broadcasters consolidating their linear broadcast services in favour of expanding their streaming offer, it’s mostly smaller broadcasters that are interested in taking up Freeview capacity.
Any new Freeview channels would automatically also become available to owners of Freely TVs, providing they use the service in hybrid mode.
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By: Marc Thornham | Image: DTV Services | Updated: 13:14