National Grid Wireless announces extension of agreement with ITV for capacity on multiplex D

22 March 2006

National Grid Wireless, the mobile telecommunication and broadcast transmission infrastructure company, has announced that it has signed a new agreement with ITV plc for capacity on multiplex D, part of the UK’s digital terrestrial television (DTT) platform.

ITV plc won the 24-hour channel capacity, currently used for Men & Motors, in 2005 following an auction run by National Grid Wireless. The agreement signed at the time was for an initial 12-month period; this has now been extended to 2011.

Steven Marshall, chief executive National Grid Wireless, announcing the extension said: “We’re delighted that ITV has extended its commitment to National Grid Wireless and the DTT platform. It is also proof that the DTT platform continues to play an important role in the plans of multi-channel broadcasters.”

Tom Betts, chief operating officer, ITV Consumer said: “With nearly seven million households now watching Freeview, securing DTT capacity is key for ITV. This agreement underlines our commitment to the platform.”

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Notes to Editors:

National Grid Wireless is a wholly owned subsidiary of National Grid and is the leading independent provider of infrastructure to the mobile telecommunications operators in the UK. National Grid Wireless is also one of two UK providers of terrestrial infrastructure for the transmission of analogue and digital television and radio broadcasts in the UK and as such achieves a 98% population coverage. In addition to the traditional analogue services, National Grid Wireless has a strong position in the growing digital television market, owning two of the six digital terrestrial television licences and providing infrastructure services to all the Freeview channels and the BBC and BSkyB.

For further information:

Stephen Arnold
National Grid Wireless
+44 (0) 1926 416 870
+44 (0) 7803 887 288 (m)