28 April 2005
ITV has taken a major step in helping revitalise its digital television reputation by acquiring one of the key figures in Freeview as part of a multi million pound deal.
Reports suggest ITV has shelved out £134 million for SDN, a group which owns one of the six licences that constitute Freeview.
The news represents a significant turnaround for ITV after the £1 billion bankruptcy of ITV Digital in 2002.
"Freeview is very much part of our overall strategy, " explained the broadcaster's chief executive Charles Allen.
"People are moving from analogue [viewing] to digital, and the best thing from an ITV perspective is that they stay in Freeview."
SDN currently has enough space to broadcast ten channels including Five, Discovery and shopping service QVC.
ITV has said that it hopes "technological advances" could see an additional channel added to the multiplex in 2007.
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