The BBC has given details of the timetable for the rollout of high definition signals on the terrestrial transmission network. The aim is to make Freeview HD available to 50% of the population in time for the World Cup next June and to cover 98.5% of the population once digital switchover has completed in 2012.

The multiplex was created by the reorganisation of the DTT spectrum at the end of September. The BBC will be joined by a primetime version of ITV HD, currently only available to Freesat households, and a simulcast of Channel 4. Broadband TV News understands that transmissions from Channel 4 will commence in the first half of 2010, once contract negotiations with the BBC have been completed.

In the meantime an advance network will enable reception of BBC HD in London, Glasgow, Newcastle, Leeds, Bradford and Birmingham by the end of March 2010. The majority of viewers will receive the HD multiplex after digital switchover in their region, commencing with Manchester in December 2009, and Cardiff by the end of March 2010. For the 7% of the UK population who switched before December 2009, a retrofit programme will bring them into coverage before the end of November 2010.

From January 2010 viewers will be able to check with the Freeview website as to when HD is available in their area.