§ Mr. FlynnTo ask the President of the Board of Trade how many homes will be able to receive Channel 5 through the extra frequency Channel 35; what assessment he has made of the length of time for which the service will be available under the present arrangement; and if he will make a statement. [10431]
§ Mr. Ian Taylor[holding answer 13 January 1997]: Channel 5 Broadcasting estimates that access to channel 35 could mean that an extra 1.8 million homes an estimated 4 million people will be able to receive the service.
Channel 5 Broadcasting will have access to the frequency for a period of five years. Towards the end of this period, the Government will review the position on the development of more spectrum efficient digital services and will make a judgment whether, and if so for what period of time, Channel 5 may continue to use the channel.
Channel 5 is responsible for notifying viewers affected that these arrangements exist, and for investigating means of migrating services to other methods of delivery.