High definition signals will come to UK digital terrestrial television on December 2 with the conversion of the Winter Hill transmitter that serves Manchester and Liverpool. It will be followed by a retrospective upgrade of the regions that have already made the switch.
Graham Plumb, head of distribution technology, BBC Operations Group, said that although November had been originally stated as the launch date for Freeview HD, it was subsequently realised that Multiplex B that will be used for the transmissions would not switch over until December 2.
Progress is also being made on the rollout of Freeview HD in certain areas ahead of digital switchover. Crystal Palace, which covers the whole of London, will be upgraded in December and another four main transmitters will be upgraded in the first half of 2010.
