The BBC and Five have reached agreement over the carriage of the commercial broadcaster within the corporation’s second multiplex (Multiplex B). Five is currently carried within the SDN multiplex also known as Multiplex A.

The agreement ensures Five will have terrestrial distribution equal to the other broadcasters with public service obligations as the first areas of Britain, Border, Westcountry and Wales, undergo digital switchover.

A major reorganisation of the UK’s terrestrial spectrum is scheduled to take place ahead of the switchover of the North West region, historically known as Granadaland, in order to allow the launch of HD services. At this point it is possible that Five will move again.

Five’s position in Selkirk, the first area in the UK to fully complete switchover on November 20th this year, has already been formalised by variations to the channel’s licence.