Get HDTV for Free

Want to get HDTV programming for free? In many countries, like the United States, Canada, Mexico, Guatemala, Australia, and Japan, it is possible to use an antenna to receive HD programs.

Unless the current plan is revised, viewers in the UK will not benefit from this form of HDTV broadcasting.

The only way to receive HDTV is to subscribe to services like SKY HD or NTL/Telewest. OFCOM, the UK telecommunications regulator, plans to auction off the air-space that will be left over from the closure of analogue TV channels. OFCOM defends the plan by pointing out that a lack of present interest in HDTV makes the technology a premium service.

In 2006, there was a limited trial of HDTV over Freeview. An overwhelming majority of respondents (some 86%) said that having HDTV over Freeview was important. This same test run showed that consumers are expecting broadcasters, like BBC, ITV, C4, and Five, to be on the cutting edge when it comes to offering the HD services.

With the success of the trial run, the support of companies like Sony, and the increasing rise of HDTV sets being purchased, the choice that OFCOM seems determined to make is most assuredly the wrong one for the region.

Consumers that are interested in HDTV are encouraged to support movements like “HDForAll” in an effort to turn OFCOM in a different direction.