Ofcom has ruled that the BBC is allowed to limit the availability of its HD Freeview broadcasts to receivers that can control the use of content.
This will still mean you can record HD programmes to your Freeview HD digital recorder but you will not not be able to make another high definition copy of the recording thereby eliminating HD Piracy and protecting the copyright holder.
This at first might seem restrictive but this is standard practice and the same has been in operation on the Freesat platform since launch. If this was not in place many copyright holders and film distributors would not allow there content to be shown in high definition.
The BBC believes that a minimal level of copy protection would encourage more content owners to free up their material and therefore improve the viewing experience and availability.
No content management restrictions will be placed on standard definition content delivered on the Freeview platform.
Below is a brief outline of the Ofcom statement the full statment can be found on Ofcom website.
Ofcom today agreed to allow the BBC to restrict access to the Electronic Programme Guide for Freeview High Definition (HD) programming. The BBC plans to restrict access to manufacturers of set-top-boxes and integrated Freeview HD TV’s that include copy protection technology. This technology will allow broadcasters to control the multiple copying of HD content and its retransmission over the internet.
Freeview HD is being rolled out in line with the existing digital switchover schedule and will eventually be available to 98.5% of UK households by the end of 2012.
In response to a public consultation on this issue, the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 provided evidence that without a content management framework in place the range of HD content available on the Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT) platform – in particular high value film and drama content – would be compromised.
Ofcom has concluded that the decision to accept the BBC’s request will deliver net benefits to citizens and consumers by ensuring they have access to the widest possible range of HD television content on DTT.
