The first of the three Freeview HD services to launch next year will be in the Granada region from late autumn 2009, with nationwide coverage by the end of digital switchover in 2012.
This will be followed by Wales, Scotland and the West Country in 2010; Central, Yorkshire, Anglia and Meridian in 2011 and London, Tyne Tees and Ulster by 2012.
A fourth Freeview HD service is expected to launch by 2010 and be occupied by Five. There is also the potential capacity for a fifth channel after 2015.
In order to access the new HD services, the nearly 17 million UK households with Freeview will need to buy a new HD set-top box.
Channel 4 submitted a joint proposal with Welsh-language PSB, S4C, which involves a simultaneous broadcast of the HD version of the Channel4 service across the UK. Channel 4 already broadcasts an HD service on Sky.
In Wales, viewers will receive an HD version of the S4C Digidol service. This means shows such as Hollyoaks and a third of S4C's productions will be in available in HD.
Channel 4 HD's service is set to include more than 150 hours of films in the first 12 months (mainly shown in peak time), as well as mix of UK originated UK programming and popular US imports.
There is also the possibility of sub-letting airtime during overnight hours to third-party broadcasters.
ITV, STV, UTV and Channel TV's group bid was the second proposal to meet with Ofcom's approval. ITV1's peak-time schedule will be broadcast in HD on Freeview.
Additionally, the ITV HD services will include sports programming such as the FA Cup and World Cup coverage in 2010, newly commissioned drama series and programmes about the UK nations and regions, in place of early evening and late night regional news services.
ITV is planning to offer on-demand services and also to sub-let air time outside peak.
The BBC will occupy the third HD channel, offering programmes such as Strictly Come Dancing and Torchwood.
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