Ofcom chief Ed Richards has told MPs it would be a 'soft option' to set aside spectrum for Freeview HD.

But he's promised to meet broadcasters and discuss Ofcom's widely-disputed suggestion that Freeview could carry up to six hi-def channels without extra capacity.

Richards told the Commons' joint select committee that Ofcom wouldn't be backing down on its analysis, although it hasn't revealed how it reached its conclusions.

He said: "We have got no interest in having a fight on the matter. We have set up meetings with broadcasters to discuss this in detail over the next couple of weeks. It is not a matter of ideology for us. It is a matter of technical fact.

"In our estimation there could be between four and six high definition channels put on digital terrestrial television to complement satellite and cable. We are looking very carefully at the argument that there is compelling public interest for a specific allocation of some spectrum specifically for HD."

Ofcom's estimate is disputed by broadcasters, TV manufacturers, and the Digital Television Group, which normally advises Ofcom on technical matters of broadcasting. Under the banner of the HD For All campaign, they are adamant that Freeview HD can only be achieved using new spectrum.

Richard Lindsay-Davies, the DTG's director general, told The Times: "We've got to ensure that the Freeview
platform remains competitive."

Lindsay Hoyle, the Labour MP for Chorley, complained that people were not aware that there would be almost no high-definition on Freeview, and that there was a risk of a “two-tier” service developing, with hi-def only available to satellite or cable subscribers.