The BBC is suing Arqiva over performance levels around the Bilsdale transmitter site, almost two years after the North Yorkshire mast was destroyed by fire, leaving millions of Freeview viewers without a TV service.
Subsequently, Arqiva has been working to restore signals and has built a series of relay stations. A replacement mast could come online in weeks.
However, the BBC is now seeking compensation for the disruption to viewers, telling the Yorkshire Echo “Arqiva has failed to meet expected performance levels, both contractually and for our audiences.”
A spokesperson for Arqiva told Broadband TV News: “We can confirm that the BBC has filed proceedings but cannot comment further.
“Our focus is rebuilding the mast. Since the fire we have spent tens of millions of pounds restoring TV services to more than 99% of households through temporary transmitters and have provided call centre staff, in-home support and community visits.”
In a report published last June, regulator Ofcom said Arqiva had moved quickly to restore services, however there were delays in the installation of temporary equipment, particularly at the main site at Bilsdale in part due to the site’s location within a National Park.
However, Ofcom says better site-specific planning could have pre-empted this. It also criticised for the “initially very general” information issued by Arqiva.
The transmission company has spent over £40 million on restoring services.
Broadband TV News has contacted the BBC for comment.