[HD Boy]

Originally Posted by Stephen

That's not the reason at all.

Also BBC won't launch any more channels. They already announced their plans for the next few years.

Plans can change,

Found this guardian article.

Channel 5 has ditched plans to launch a high-definition channel on Freeview for the second time in less than two years, after being unable to resolve "issues of commercial importance".

The broadcaster has notified media regulator Ofcom, which is handling the launch of the fifth HD channel on Freeview, that it does not wish to continue to proceed with its application to launch a service.

Channel 5 said it has "decided with regret" to drop its application after being unable to commit to launching on Ofcom's deadline of 2012.

"This decision was taken as it has not proved possible to resolve some issues of commercial importance to Channel 5 in the timescale to which Ofcom has been working," said a Channel 5 spokesman.The Freeview multiplex is run by the BBC so it now has the right to use the vacant HD channel, or to offer it to third parties.

However, Ofcom reserves the right to offer the HD slot to a public service broadcaster in the future. Channel 5 was the only PSB to submit an application this time around.

Channel 5 said it "remains committed" to having a channel on Freeview in the future.

"We will be applying afresh for DTT [Freeview] capacity when it is next advertised by Ofcom," said the Channel 5 spokesman. "We hope this will take place in the near future."

In March last year Channel 5 pulled out of launching a Freeview HD channel after failing to give a launch date or programming schedule to Ofcom.

Freeview has four HD channels: ITV, BBC1, BBC HD and Channel 4.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/media/2011...freeview-ofcom