Freeview, the UK digital-terrestrial television service, was famously described by a senior BSkyB executive as an "analogue platform with not-very-convincing 'go-faster' stripes". The platform now looks set for a new engine, tyres and a lick of metallic paint - and more quickly than anticipated. The launch of high-definition television on the platform was due to take place at a slow pace, starting at the end of 2009 in the Granada area and then turning on as analogue switches off regionally to offer national coverage towards the end of 2012. Ofcom's latest proposal, at the request of the BBC, could lead to the launch of HDTV on Freeview for large parts of the population from the end of next year or early 2010, raising the prospect that it would be available to most of the country within 18 months. There are some barriers to be overcome. But Ofcom is confident that it can accommodate the BBC's request and wishes to do so because of the benefits to viewers. The regulator has also raised the prospect that more HD capacity could be available sooner.
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