The BBC offer includes 24 free-to air TV channels, including some from satellite broadcaster BSkyB, as well as interactive and digital radio services.

The BBC said its offer to broadcast 24 channels would allow for better quality reception than the previous 36-channel service provided by ITV Digital.

Viewers will be able to watch the channels by buying a digital adaptor for under �100.

Is this the best deal for consumers? What does this mean for the future of digital TV?

This debate is now closed. Read a selection of your comments below.

Your reaction

I was hoping that the BBC would take over DTT, but the involvement of Sky in this deal is extremely disheartening and means I am still unwilling to switch to digital.
Gregg, UK

The BBC do most things better than the commercial broadcasters

Joe Jones, UK

An excellent decision - the BBC do most things better than the commercial broadcasters - who needs all those ads? The licence fee is definitely great value for money now - how about a BBC version of MTV next?
Joe Jones, UK

I couldn't care less about who won the digital licencies, just so long as ITV did not win them. After their absolutely disgraceful behaviour towards the football league, it would have been a joke for them to get their licences back to destroy another thing that millions of people cherish.
Ben , France

Is it not ironic that the increasing technical sophistication and increased variety of choice offered by digital TV comes at precisely the same time as dwindling public interest in television as a whole?
Roman Iwaschkin, UK

I would urge the new administration to consider the options for pay TV. I only subscribed to ITV Digital for the opportunity to watch live Premiership football. Living in a block of flats, I am unable to install Sky Digital due to lease restrictions, and once bitten twice shy, I am very reluctant to turn to a troubled cable company.
Andrew Wright, UK

I think its a missed opportunity to not be carrying subscription channels

Alan Head, UK

Whilst I welcome the return of a DTT option I think its a missed opportunity to not be carrying subscription channels. This risks creating a digital underclass - not everyone has access to the option of receiving digital via satellite or cable due to planning regulations and coverage issues. DTT enabled people affected by these issues to receive subscription channels for the first time. I think the BBC will see slow take-up of the service as a result, particularly in the younger age brackets, although conversely this may see those who are unwilling or unable to take out subscription finally taking a step towards digital.
Alan Head, UK

Congratulations to the BBC and Sky on making DTT available without subscription. This is a great moment in broadcasting history as it makes 24 channels available to virtually everyone at the cost of a simple box that is already only �100 and will undoubtedly get cheaper over time. The initial line up of channels doesn't look that interesting, but we'll soon have BBC3 and I'm sure others will appear now that there's a route for them to reach the viewing public. Making ITV digital a paid service was always doomed to failure. It was a third rate service that you had to pay for. How many people do you think really wanted that ? Now DTT has been saved viewers will get up to 24 channels. That's almost 5 times as many as you can get today (without paying a subscription).
Mike, UK

This is the catalyst that digital TV has been waiting for.

Philip, London

This is the catalyst that digital TV has been waiting for. I would have never considered anything other than the standard five terrestrial channels before today's announcement and I am sure there are an awful lot of people like me.
Philip, London, England

I am extremely upset by Greg Dyke's comments that "The BBC scheme would work because those wanting pay-TV channels could go to Sky Digital" I was an ITV Digital subscriber because I wanted the pay-TV channels as I live in a flat and the lease states we are not allowed to have satellite dishes erected on the buildings. I would like to hear his thoughts on this. Most flatowners have the same problem.
Wayne Bedwell, England

The quality of the BBC's channel line-up for free DTT could be its downfall. With limited bandwidth there are too many news and kids channels, and does the BBC really have to bore the whole nation by wasting space on irrelevant Welsh channels? (I had enough of that when I was a kid).
Arnie Lister, UK

The BBC / Castle / Sky bid was the only one that offered what was necessary in order to effect a mass transition to digital television, namely buckets of non-subscription channels for a low investment by the viewer. I recently bought a Pace box. The picture quality is quite superb, even on my tired old TV. Well done ITC, BBC and partners.
Rodger Edwards, UK

How many news channels do you need?

Claire Martin, England

I loved ITV Digital because, like many others, I didn't have access to cable and my house is obscurely located preventing me from getting satellite. My main reasons for Digital was for the pay-TV channels MTV and Sky movies. I'm seriously disappointed that the BBC gained those licences because now we won't have the chance to regain the quality pay channels we want. How many news channels do you need? And radio, why?!!
Claire Martin, England

I think this is a great deal for the viewing public because with other digital services in order to recieve such channels as Sky Sports News you have to pay up to �47 per month, This will certainly win favour for the public and make the 2010 analogue swith off date not so far fetched as first thought.
Craig Watson, Scotland

I subscribed to ITV digital for Sky Sports, Sky Premier and UK Gold, and because I did not want a dish on the side of my house... what have I got? Four news channels (why so many?!) and great educational channels such as QVC, TV Travel and the soundalike Sky Travel!! I was hoping E4 would at least be back, but what do we get instead? Two Welsh language channels available to the whole of the UK (sorry I do not want to upset any Welsh people, but what is the point of S4C across the whole country?) Please re-consider and get some decent subscriber services on this platform, replacing at least two of the news channels, and in my opinion all three shopping channels.
Steve, England

Take up of Digital TV is going to be even slower.

Shan, UK

Leaving out Sky One and E4 from Digital terrestial? That is like saying we should leave out Michael Owen and David Beckham from the starting 11. This decision by the DTI sounds mind-blowingly ludricous. Take up of Digital TV is going to be even slower. The only people that are going to benefit most out of this are the competition. Rupert Murdoch being the largest, already stealing ITV digital customers away since the demise of ITV digital.
Shan, UK

Do they really think people are going to go out and get a box for �100 so that they can have a choice of BBC News 24, Sky News and ITN or a choice of Sky Travel and TV TravelShop? The box does not have a unique selling point. It would if there was the oportunity to add a pay channel, channel by channel, giving the viewer choice. When the Autumn arrives, I predict sales of Sky Digiboxes will increase.
RichardW, London, UK

My area wasn't covered by On-Digital or ITV Digital. I have no cable service locally and because I am surrounded by trees I can't get Sky Digital. So this is all rather academic to me. I live between Reading and Wokingham where one could expect to get a signal!! On reflection its probably okay because there is so much tripe pumped out these days its not worth watching. I am sure everyone will enjoy QVC!!
Julian, UK

Can we expect to see a quality comedy channel?

Ian, UK

Congratulations to the BBC team who managed to win the licence for DTV. Hopefully the BBC will listen to viewers and provide a first rate alternative to satellite broadcasting. My only fear is that the Beeb will fill the extra channels with news and sports rather than some innovative, quality programmes. Question: Will some of these new channels be funded by advertising? Can we expect to see a quality comedy channel?
Ian, UK

I wouldn't pay monthly for these channels but I will pay a one-off fee for the set top box. Well done the BBC!
Greg, UK

I can't think of a better realistic outcome; high quality BBC services available free-to-air. Those that are complaining about a lack of plans for film services should be prepared to pay for a service like Sky Digital and not complain about the BBC's great free-to-air plans.
Matt, England

I think that it will take a lot more work to convince people to go for this offering than if it included channels like Sky 1 and E4. Look at the ratings, and see how few people watch the Sky channels that are to be carried, and how many people watch Sky 1. If people are going to go for more channels, it is so that they can get a choice of entertainment, not continuous news.
Andy, UK

Finally, a step in the right direction

Dan F, England

Finally, a step in the right direction. I am not willing to have to pay for something I don't use that often. If I want to see a film I rent it on DVD or go to the cinema. As for the rest of the channels, if the government want me to watch digital TV after they switch off the analogue system, then replacing my current free channels with digital versions is a necessity. The fact that they are having 24 free channels is just a nice bonus. I do think, however they should get a few pay channels going as soon as possible once the technology has been de-bugged and to give people (especially those who don't want Sky or one of those awful dishes slapped on their property) a bit more choice. As far as I am concerned however buying a bit of kit (or a new TV) for a few quid and then a straight swap from one to another with no more expense is what I am after. Good stuff!
Dan F, England

Certainly the new service is better than nothing, but what about those people who want to watch sport, movies, documentaries, etc. without the hassle of getting a dish fitted? Or those who rent accomodation and aren't allowed to fix a dish to the side of their home? We should at least have the option of subscribing to pay channels, particularly as Sky is involved in this deal. One for the future, perhaps.
Rob, UK

I think it's the best of the bunch of options. Hopefully the FTA boxes will come down dramatically in price, and will start to be integrated more into TV sets. Getting clear reception (hopefully!) of BBC Radios 1-6 is a bonus as well.
Andy, England

Awarding the licences to the BBC/BSkyB partnership has been a politically driven safe and soft option. The failure to allow for any premium channels is a BIG mistake. As a former ITV Digital subscriber I am not in the slightest bit impressed or inspired by the proposed channel selections. We are being offered duplication of analogue channels and a good scraping of the bottom of the barrel to fill out the package. This is not the way forward!
Garry, England

How can the BBC seriously think that its channel line up is going to attract more viewers to DTT? Why on earth do we need so many news channels, yet are missing out on the content that is really likely to draw in the viewers, such as that carried on E4, UK Gold and Sky One? To me, the ITV/Channel 4 bid looked the best - a totally free service, with the option for a handful of quality subscription channels. That way you cater for the free viewers and the people who want the quality of some of Sky's channels without the quantity of rubbish that goes with it.
Andy Ward, UK

None of the extra channels are good enough to persuade the majority of people to move to DTT

Matt, UK

While having 24 free channels initially looks like a good thing. Further insepction of the channel line up shows it to be severely lacking in quality entertainment channels suitable for the majority of the intended audience. None of the extra channels are good enough to persuade the majority of people to move to DTT, At a minimum we should have been getting MTV, E4 and Sky One. Who actually watches Sky Travel? What percentage of the country will be interested in the Welsh channels?
Matt, UK

I feel it a big mistake not to include E4 in the new line up - I don't wish to wait until next year to see the new series of programmes such as The West Wing on Channel 4 - I want to see it as soon as possible.
JC, Scotland

Bye bye Sci-Fi then. I got digital only for Sky1 because they show new Sci-Fi. I've seen no commitment from the BBC on Sci-Fi for ages. I'm glad to see them moving into more adveturous drama like 24, but no Trek. I'm not buying. Forget it.
Angie, UK

Let's hope that the BBC put quality before quantity. Both quality and quantity would be even better.
Simon, UK

I cannot imagine why anyone would want to part with �100 for any of the channels on offer

Martin, Glasgow, UK

As a former DTT customer, I was happy to pay a subscription to view the channels I personally wanted on my TV screen. Sky One, E4 and Film Four, for example. I cannot imagine why anyone would wish to part with �100 for any of the channels on offer under this licence. At least my family will be grateful. I'll be spending a lot more time with them and a lot less time with the goggle box.
Martin, Glasgow, UK

Awful decision, Sky Digital is successful for one reason: Premiership football. That is how they have generated viewers. ITV Digital only had the draw of Nationwide League football and paid over the odds which ultimately led to its downfall. Without the live Premiership matches this arrangement will be as unsuccessful. Surely those who can't have Sky Digital or cable should have the option to pay for subscription channels through DTT?
Mat, UK

At least my set top box is not going to turn into an expensive paperweight

Roy, UK

Having paid up front for ITV Digital for a year one month before they went bust, I am very pleased I am going to get some sort of service. At least my set top box is not going to turn into an expensive paperweight.
Roy, UK

So the BBC got the digital licence and all we get are kids' programs, news, news and more news, and S4C (watch it once and forget it). I've waited to see who would get it - now I'm off to order my Sky dish. Poor show.
Robert James, Wales

It is a good decision. Sky and cable can offer better pay services for those who want it. If you don't want to pay then you have DTT.
Adam, England

Yet another excuse for the BBC to 'justify' the licence fee

Aldo, UK

While 24 free channels are to be welcomed, I originally signed up to OnDigital for UK Gold, MTV, and the Discovery channel, which I am willing to pay for. This BBC/Sky offering looks like a poor man's alternative to Sky Digital. 24 channels compares even worse, in terms of alternatives, than OnDigital's 36 channel line-up did, and this will turn out to be yet another excuse for the BBC to 'justify' the licence fee, without actually giving viewers the choice to pay for what they actually want to see.
Aldo, UK

I must say that I am extremely disappointed about the ITC's decision. It is a known fact that free non-analogue terrestrial channels do not have quality programming because they are not able to obtain enough money through advertising alone for good programmes. That is why channels such as Sky One and E4 require a subscription as well as advertising revenue. I got DTT (digital terrestrial television) for Sky One, E4, and PlayUK. The prospect of free channels such as "Sky Travel" leaves me feeling sick. There is already this kind of pathetic channel available on the bandwidth belonging to SDN - such as TV Travel Shop and QVC - we don't want any more like this! Because there is a limited bandwidth on DTT this means that decent quality channels need to be found to make it a success. With the BBC planning to improve reception by switching broadcasting methods this further reduces bandwidth and makes it all the more precious.
Matt Austin, UK

The BBC-Sky partnership can only breathe life back into digital TV

GJ, Surrey

The BBC and Sky have been the most innovative interactive service providers on the digital satellite platform, leaving Cable far behind in the quality of service race. Their partnership can only breathe life back into digital TV. It will be important for the BBC and Sky to continue to develop innovative interactivity on the DTT platform to rival digital satellite. An informative, user-customisable EPG along with user-friendly event-driven multi screens such as Wimbledon and Sky News Active are essential to encourage its uptake. Also the interactive service delivery needs to be fast. However leaving out quality subscription channels from the platform such as E4, Film Four and Sky One would impact its uptake.
GJ, Surrey

As a former ITV Digital subscriber, I am disappointed to see that there are no plans for film channels. I miss Film Four and Carlton Cinema the most and as I live in a block of flats where there is no cable access and we are not allowed by planning regulations to erect a satellite dish, I feel I am being unfairly discriminated against. Please think again BBC. Are five news channels really necessary and do we have to have wall to wall sport? Please no!
Andrew Armstrong, UK

The BBC does have the technical competence to do this but I'm unsure whether it has the full political backing

Rod Maxwell, UK

Making digital terrestrial television purely free-to-view does set it aside from the other formats but it remains to be seen if they can get DTTV to work. Ultimately, if they can produce a technical solution where the picture and sound do not constantly break up and they actually support the software for the interactive features then the format will become popular and eventually replace analogue. I believe the BBC does have the technical competence to do this but I'm unsure whether it has the full political backing to put the necessary resources into the venture.
Rod Maxwell, UK

Well, given that the government intends on having us all switched over to digital TV in the next few years, this may be the best way about it. I'd rather this responsibility in the safe hands of the BBC, than the previous 'monkeys'. Let's just hope the level of investment to bring the broadcasting technology up to scratch doesn't have an impact on the level of programming - or the license fee.
Alan, UK

Yes, it gives DTT consumers even more choice. The majority of channels will not be repeated on Sky Digital, making the services complimentary and increasing the DTT market, as Sky Digital consumers might want to have both systems.
Rob A, UK

The only way to entice people to buy the new boxes is to get some 'pay' channels on the free to view service. Sky news and Sky Sports News is a good start but the service will need more. If the service could come to an arrangement, and get Sky One and E4 (free of charge) then the majority of 20-40 year olds will be extremely interested (if they haven't got DTV already). The 20-40 age range are the most likely to part with �100 of their hard earned cash.
Simon, Southampton, UK

Since the BBC's digital services are funded by the licence fee, there should always have been an option for receiving the free-to-air channels without having to enter into any kind of subscription service. Even what ITV digital was charging for their basic service was too much for the privilege of effectively "renting" the adaptor box, and although the downside may now be that Rupert Murdoch has got a monopoly on digital subscription services, as far as I'm concerned he can keep them because he'll never get a penny out of me. However, I, and I suspect millions of others, may now seriously consider buying a digital adapter.
Steve, UK