Dyke hails 'best outcome for viewers'

BBC director-general Greg Dyke today hailed a "fresh start" for digital television but added: "Winning it is one thing, now we've got to do it."

He added: "This is the best outcome for viewers. It won't be an easy task - the platform has been through a major crisis - but we believe a simple, entirely free-to-view digital option has the best chance of success with consumers."

Mr Dyke said the service would help attract consumers who have been reluctant to pay for digital services. But he was unapologetic about the BBC's failure to provide premium channels. "If people want movies, they will just have to go either to cable or to Sky," he said.

"We've asked people 'do you want more TV without having to pay for it?' and the answer is a resounding 'yes'."

Culture Secretary Tessa Jowell also welcomed the decision. "Digital TV can bring huge benefits. It is without doubt the future for broadcasting," she said. "I want as many people as possible to be able to get digital TV in their homes."

Peter Abery, managing director of Crown Castle, the company running the technology to broadcast the new channels, said: "We will now be working closely with the BBC to get the digital terrestrial platform free from the technical problems that dogged ITV Digital."