Editing Freeview (UK) (section)

===Freeview HD===
Freeview HD comprises a number of high-definition versions of existing channels. It requires a different high-definition tuner, and does not supersede or replace standard Freeview.

On 20 August 2020, Freeview announced that it would phase out their Freeview HD brand in 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-08-20 |title=Freeview announces it will phase out the Freeview HD brand |url=https://www.everyonetv.co.uk/news/press-release/freeview-hd |access-date=2024-04-14 |website=Everyone TV |language=en}}</ref>

====Channels====
{{See also|List of HD channels in the United Kingdom}}

With two channels ([[BBC HD]] and [[ITV HD]]) '''Freeview HD''' completed a "technical launch" on 2 December 2009 from [[Winter Hill transmitting station|Winter Hill]] (as a full power service) and [[Crystal Palace transmitting station|Crystal Palace]] (as a reduced power temporary service). It operates on multiplex BBC B (aka Multiplex B or PSB3). The service was broadcast to all regions by the end of 2012.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2009/11_november/16/freeview.shtml|title=BBC announces timetable for Freeview HD signal availability|publisher=BBC|date=16 November 2009}}</ref> [[Channel 4|Channel 4 HD]] commenced test broadcasts on 25 March 2010 with an animated caption, ahead of its full launch on 30 March 2010, coinciding with the commercial launch of Freeview HD.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a210797/c4-hd-begins-freeview-test-transmissions.html|title=C4 HD begins Freeview test transmissions|website=Digital Spy|date=26 March 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2010/03/30/freeview_hd_launches_gets_channel_4/|title=Freeview HD launches, gets Channel 4|publisher=Register Hardware|date=30 March 2010|access-date=30 March 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100523193954/http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2010/03/30/freeview_hd_launches_gets_channel_4/|archive-date=23 May 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> [[S4C|S4C Clirlun]] launched on 30 April 2010, in Wales, where Channel 4 HD did not broadcast.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.s4c.co.uk/e_press_level2.shtml?id=324|title=S4C launches new High Definition channel – Clirlun|publisher=S4C|date=29 March 2010}}</ref> [[STV (TV channel)#STV HD|STV HD]] launched in Scotland, where ITV HD does not broadcast, on 6 June 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.stv.tv/stvhd|title=HD television is coming to STV|publisher=STV|access-date=1 June 2010}}</ref> S4C Clirlun closed on 1 December 2012, allowing Channel 4 HD to begin broadcasting in Wales.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/spectrum/spectrum-policy-area/projects/dtv/Amendment_to_Determination.pdf|title=AMENDMENT ONE TO THE DETERMINATION UNDER ARTICLE 3 OF THE TELEVISION MUPLTIPLEX SERVICES (RESERVATION OF DIGITAL CAPACITY) ORDER 2008 DATED 17 OCTOBER 2008|publisher=Ofcom|date=2 October 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130116072210/http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/spectrum/spectrum-policy-area/projects/dtv/Amendment_to_Determination.pdf|archive-date=16 January 2013}}</ref>

[[Channel 5 (UK)|Five HD]] was due to launch during 2010 but was unable to reach 'key criteria' to keep its slot.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2009/06/nr_20090611a|title=Channel 5 set for licence for high definition programmes on digital terrestrial television|publisher=Ofcom|date=11 June 2009|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090614090155/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2009/06/nr_20090611a|archive-date=14 June 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.techradar.com/news/television/ofcom-hands-five-s-freeview-hd-slot-back-to-bbc-676901|title=Ofcom hands Five's Freeview HD slot back to BBC|work=Tech Radar|date=15 May 2010}}</ref> Spare allocation on multiplex B was handed over to the BBC, two years from the date when it was anticipated that further capacity on multiplex B would revert to the control of the BBC Trust. On 3 November 2010, [[BBC One#BBC One HD|BBC One HD]] launched on Freeview HD.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/10_october/21/bbconehd.shtml|title=BBC One HD Channel to launch 3 November and EastEnders to go HD on Christmas Day|publisher=BBC|date=21 October 2010}}</ref> Initially it was available in addition to the existing BBC HD channel, which continued to show the "best of the rest" of the BBC in HD. However, BBC HD was replaced by [[BBC Two HD]] on 26 March 2013.<ref>{{cite web|title=BBC Two HD Channel to launch 26 March|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/bbc-two-hd.html|publisher=BBC|access-date=2 July 2013|archive-date=25 December 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181225181040/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/bbc-two-hd.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Until 17 October 2011, the commercial public service broadcasters had the opportunity to apply to [[Ofcom]] to provide an additional HD service from between 28 November 2011 and 1 April 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/spectrum/spectrum-policy-area/projects/dtv/third/statutory-notice.pdf|title=Third Invitation to Apply for DTT Multiplex B capacity – Statutory Notice|publisher=Ofcom|date=5 September 2011|access-date=5 September 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123013522/http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/spectrum/spectrum-policy-area/projects/dtv/third/statutory-notice.pdf|archive-date=23 November 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref> Channel 5 HD was the sole applicant,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2011/11/01/channel-5-takes-freeview-hd-slot/|title=Channel 5 takes Freeview HD slot|publisher=Broadband TV News|date=1 November 2011}}</ref> with the aim of launching in spring or early summer 2012.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/spectrum/spectrum-policy-area/projects/dtv/third/ITA3-c5.pdf#page=8|title=Response to Ofcom's Third Invitation to Apply for DTT Multiplex B Capacity|publisher=Ofcom|date=17 October 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111027112941/http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/binaries/spectrum/spectrum-policy-area/projects/dtv/third/ITA3-c5.pdf|archive-date=27 October 2011}}</ref> On 15 December 2011, Channel 5 dropped its bid to take the fifth slot after being unable to resolve "issues of commercial importance".<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2011/dec/16/channel-5-hd-freeview-ofcom|title=Channel 5 again ditches plans to launch HD channel on Freeview|newspaper=The Guardian|date=15 December 2011}}</ref> Subject to any future Ofcom decision to re-advertise the slot, the capacity will remain with the BBC and can be used by it for BBC services or services provided by a third party via a commercial arrangement.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/media/news/a356343/channel-5-rules-out-hd-channel-launch-on-freeview.html|title=Channel 5 rules out HD channel launch on Freeview|website=Digital Spy|date=15 December 2011}}</ref> The BBC temporarily used the space to broadcast a high definition simulcast of their main Freeview [[BBC Red Button|red button]] feed for the duration of the [[2012 Summer Olympics]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/rogermosey/2012/04/more_choices_announced_for_bbc.html|title=More choices announced for BBC Olympic viewers|publisher=BBC|date=18 April 2012}}</ref> followed by a channel from Channel 4 for the [[2012 Summer Paralympics]].<ref>{{cite magazine|url=http://www.radiotimes.com/news/2012-08-15/channel-4-to-offer-three-dedicated-paralympic-games-channels|title=Channel 4 to offer three dedicated Paralympic Games channels|magazine=Radio Times|date=15 August 2012}}</ref> On 13 June 2013, the BBC temporarily launched a high-definition red button stream in the vacant space.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/posts/A-BBC-Red-Button-summer|title=A BBC Red Button summer 2013|publisher=BBC|date=10 June 2013}}</ref>

On 16 July 2013, Ofcom announced that up to 10 new HD channels would be launched by early 2014, using new capacity made available by the [[digital switchover]]. This provided additional spectrum in the 600Mhz band for additional DVB-T2 multiplexes, reaching up to 70% of the UK population.<ref name="OfcomJuly2013" /> At the same time, the BBC announced that they would provide five new HD channels due to the newly available capacity: BBC Three HD, BBC Four HD, CBBC HD, CBeebies HD and BBC News HD.<ref>{{cite web|title=BBC to launch five new subscription-free HD channels|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/BBCHDChannels.html|publisher=BBC Media Centre|access-date=16 July 2013|archive-date=26 July 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180726121230/https://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/bbchdchannels.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> BBC Three HD and CBBC HD launched to all viewers on 10 December 2013 using the capacity released by the Red Button HD service, and the other BBC channels launched in some regions, expanding to 70% UK coverage by June 2014.<ref>{{cite web|title=CBBC HD, CBeebies HD, BBC Three HD, BBC Four HD & BBC News HD launch Tuesday 10 December 2013|date=9 December 2013|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/aboutthebbc/entries/af2df9f6-084b-3483-bb9a-f3e1fe460351|publisher=BBC|access-date=28 December 2013}}</ref>

Channel 5 HD launched on Freeview on 4 May 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nissim|first=Mayer|date=2016-05-04|title=Channel 5 HD is now FINALLY available on Freeview|url=http://www.digitalspy.com/tv/a792851/channel-5-hd-is-now-finally-available-on-freeview/|access-date=2021-12-16|website=Digital Spy|language=en-GB}}</ref>

In June 2022, it was announced that the COM7 multiplex would be closing due to the license expiring and the frequency used being released for 5G. The BBC announced that they have made provisions for a 6th slot for BBC Four HD and CBeebies HD to move into available capacity that has been newly identified on the PSB3 multiplex which the BBC operates. However, BBC News HD would stop being broadcast on Freeview.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/reception/work-warning/news/waw-com7 | title=Changes to HD viewing on Freeview &#124; Help receiving TV and radio }}</ref>

====Technical====
The [[Digital TV Group]] publishes and maintains the UK technical specification for high-definition services on digital terrestrial television (Freeview) based on the new DVB-T2 standard. The specification is known as the [[D-book]]. Freeview HD is the first operational TV service in the world using the [[DVB-T2]] standard. This standard is incompatible with DVB-T, and can only be received using compatible reception equipment.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2008/04/nr_20080403b |title=More choice and new services on digital terrestrial TV |publisher=Ofcom |date=3 April 2008 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090711215852/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/media/news/2008/04/nr_20080403b |archive-date=11 July 2009  }}</ref> Some television receivers sold before the HD launch claimed to be "HD-ready", but this usually implies that the screen can display HD, rather than that DVB-T2 signals can be received{{snd}} a suitable tuner (typically built into a STB or PVR) is additionally required. Freeview HD set-top boxes and televisions are available. To qualify for the Freeview HD logo, receivers will need to be [[IPTV]]-capable and display Freeview branding, including the logo, on the electronic programme guide screen.<ref name="Freeview HD goes live">{{cite web|url=http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/12/03/freeview_hd_launch_report/|title=Freeview HD goes live|publisher=Register Hardware|date=3 December 2009|access-date=3 December 2009|archive-date=12 February 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100212202900/http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2009/12/03/freeview_hd_launch_report/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The Freeview HD trademark requirements state that any manufacturer applying for the Freeview HD logo should submit their product to the [[Digital TV Group]]'s test centre (DTG Testing) for conformance testing.

On 2 February 2010, [[Vestel]] became the first manufacturer to gain Freeview HD certification, for the Vestel T8300 set top box.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pressreleasepoint.com/vestel-receives-first-freeview-hd-certification|title=Vestel Receives First Freeview HD Certification|publisher=PressReleasePoint|date=2 February 2010}}</ref> [[Humax]] released the first Freeview HD reception equipment, the Humax HD-FOX T2, on 13 February 2010.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2010/02/15/first-dvb-t2-receiver-in-uk-stores/|title=First DVB-T2 receiver in UK stores|publisher=Broadband TV News|date=15 February 2010}}</ref>

It was announced on 10 February 2009, that the signal would be encoded with [[H.264/MPEG-4 AVC|MPEG-4 AVC]] High Profile Level 4, which supports up to 1080i30/1080p30, so 1080p50 cannot be used.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?id=3270|title=Ofcom opts for AVC 4.0 for UK HD DTT|publisher=The Digital TV Group|date=10 February 2009|access-date=13 February 2009|archive-date=13 February 2009|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090213073716/http://www.dtg.org.uk/news/news.php?id=3270|url-status=dead}}</ref> The system has been designed from the start to allow regional variations in the broadcast schedule. Services are statistically multiplexed{{snd}} bandwidth is dynamically allocated between channels, depending on the complexity of the images{{snd}} with the aim of maintaining a consistent quality, rather than a specific bit rate. Video for each channel can range between 3&nbsp;Mbit/s and 17&nbsp;Mbit/s. [[Advanced Audio Coding|AAC]] or [[Dolby Digital Plus]] audio is transmitted at 384&nbsp;[[kb/s]] for 5.1 surround sound, with stereo audio at 128–192&nbsp;kbit/s; audio description takes up 64&nbsp;kbit/s, subtitles 200&nbsp;kbit/s and the data stream, for interactive applications 50&nbsp;kbit/s.<ref name="Freeview HD goes live" /> Recording sizes for Freeview HD television transmissions average around 3&nbsp;GB per hour.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://gonedigital.net/2010/08/12/freeviewhd-bit-rates-and-file-sizes-revisited/ | title = FreeviewHD bit-rates and file sizes revisited | work = Gone Digital | date=12 August 2010 | access-date = 10 May 2011 | first=Nigel | last = Whitfield }}</ref> Between 22 and 23 March 2011, an encoder software change allowed the Freeview version of BBC HD to automatically detect progressive material and change encoding mode appropriately, meaning the channel can switch to 1080p25.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/researchanddevelopment/2011/04/software-upgrade-for-bbc-hd-on.shtml|title=Software Upgrade for BBC HD on Freeview HD|work=BBC|date=5 April 2011}}</ref> This was extended to all of the other Freeview HD channels in October 2011.

To ensure provision of audio description, broadcasters typically use the AAC codec.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reghardware.com/2010/06/02/freeview_hd_surround_sound/|title=Freeview HD sacrifices surround sound for World Cup scramble|publisher=Register Hardware|date=2 June 2010|access-date=22 June 2010|archive-date=6 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100606192312/http://www.reghardware.com/2010/06/02/freeview_hd_surround_sound/|url-status=dead}}</ref> Hardware restrictions allow only a single type of audio decoder to operate at any one time, so the main audio and the audio description must use the same encoding family for them to be successfully combined at the receiver. In the case of BBC HD, the main audio is coded as AAC-LC and only the audio description is encoded as [[High-Efficiency Advanced Audio Coding|HE-AAC]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2010/06/questions_around_surround_soun.html|title=Questions around surround sound on Freeview HD|publisher=BBC|date=4 June 2010}}</ref> Neither AAC nor Dolby Digital Plus codecs are supported by most home AV equipment, which typically accept [[Dolby Digital]] or [[DTS (sound system)|DTS]], leaving owners with stereo, rather than [[surround sound]], output. Transcoding from AAC to Dolby Digital or DTS and multi-channel output via [[HDMI]] was not originally necessary for Freeview HD certification. As of June 2010 the [[Digital TV Group|DTG]] D-Book includes the requirement for mandatory transcoding when sending audio via [[S/PDIF]], and for either transcoding or multi-channel [[Pulse-code modulation|PCM]] audio when sending it via HDMI in order for manufacturers to gain Freeview HD certification from April 2011.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://gonedigital.net/2010/06/02/surrounded-by-questions-freeviewhd/|title=Surrounded by questions|publisher=Gone Digital|date=2 June 2010}}</ref> Thus equipment sold as Freeview HD before April 2011 may not deliver surround sound to audio equipment (some equipment may, but this is not mandatory); later equipment must be capable of surround sound compatible with most suitable audio equipment.

In early February 2011, it was announced that one million Freeview HD set-top boxes had been sold.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cable.co.uk/news/digital-tv-service-freeview-hd-passes-1m-sales-800381182/|title=Digital TV service Freeview HD passes 1m sales|publisher=Cable UK|date=2 February 2011|access-date=2 February 2011|archive-date=5 February 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110205045520/http://www.cable.co.uk/news/digital-tv-service-freeview-hd-passes-1m-sales-800381182/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

====Copy protection====
In August 2009, the BBC wrote to Ofcom after third-party content owners asked the BBC to undertake measures to ensure that all Freeview HD boxes would include [[copy protection]] systems as required by the Digital TV Group's D-Book, which sets technical standards for digital terrestrial television in the UK.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.digitalspy.co.uk/digitaltv/news/a175535/bbc-wants-freeview-hd-copy-protection.html|title=BBC wants Freeview HD copy protection|website=Digital Spy|date=2 September 2009}}</ref> The BBC proposed to ensure compliance with copy-protection standards on the upgraded Freeview HD multiplex by compressing the service information (SI) data, which receivers need to understand the TV services in the data stream. To encourage boxes to adopt copy protection, the BBC made its own look-up tables and decompression algorithm, necessary for decoding the EPG data on high-definition channels, available without charge only to manufacturers who implement the copy-protection technology. This technology would control the way HD films and TV shows are copied onto, for example Blu-ray discs, and shared with others over the internet. No restrictions will be placed on standard-definition services. In a formal written response, Ofcom principal advisor Greg Bensberg said that wording of the licence would probably need to be changed to reflect the fact that this new arrangement is permitted. The BBC had suggested that as an alternative to the SI compression scheme, the Freeview HD multiplex may have to adopt encryption. Bensberg said that it would appear "inappropriate to encrypt public service broadcast content on DTT".

On 14 June 2010, Ofcom agreed to allow the BBC to limit the full availability of its own and other broadcasters' high definition (HD) Freeview services to receivers that control how HD content can be used.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consumer/2010/06/hd-on-freeview-5/|title=HD on Freeview|publisher=Ofcom|date=14 June 2010|access-date=14 June 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100616034420/http://www.ofcom.org.uk/consumer/2010/06/hd-on-freeview-5/|archive-date=16 June 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref> Ofcom concluded that the decision to accept the BBC's request will deliver net benefits to licence-holders by ensuring they have access to the widest possible range of HD television content on DTT.