High-definition television in the United Kingdom

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High-definition television broadcasts began in the United Kingdom in 2006. They are available on free-to-air digital satellite, the Sky HD satellite service and Virgin Media (cable) with BBC, ITV and Channel 4 channels available under contracts that expire in 2008. A new service, called Freesat launched on 6th May 2008, initially carrying the BBC HD channel. Freesat is a not-for-profit company formed by the BBC and ITV in collaboration, and is completely free with no contract required, although viewers have to purchase a suitable HD satellite receiver and install a satellite dish if they do not already have one. ITV have been trailing HD broadcasts for their new channel, ITV HD which will be exclusively available on Freesat, and no other digital television platforms. Channel 4 are also expected to broadcast over Freesat.

BBC channels are currently available without subscription on digital satellite. They may be received by anybody with suitable equipment — a high-definition satellite receiver and a satellite dish. Many Sky viewers currently opt for a full subscription which provides extra channels. The Freesat company has complete control of the new satellite platform, allowing them to set up the EPG without having to pay Sky for the facility as they currently do, once their contracts with Sky expire in 2008. It is expected that the Sky platform will continue to carry BBC programmes.


Contents

[edit] Broadcasters

[edit] BBC

The BBC was running a trial channel called BBC HD on the BSkyB satellite broadcast platform & the Virgin Media platform.[1]. Following recent approval, the BBC is currently broadcasting on free-to-air digital satellite, appearing on the new Freesat satellite broadcast platform. The Channel launched on December 1st 2007 on digital satellite and Virgin Media cable.

[edit] ITV

High definition broadcasts from the ITV Network launched exclusively on Freesat[2], the new digital satellite service from the BBC and ITV on 7 June 2008, just in time for the start of UEFA Euro 2008. ITV plans to spend £10m during 2008 on the launch of ITV HD.[3] An ITV Trial service was broadcast on digital cable television as well as on the DTT trial in London during the 2006 Football World Cup. ITV will continue to push for HD broadcasts on the terrestrial Freeview platform too.

[edit] Channel 4

Channel 4 launched its HD service on digital satellite in December 2007.[4] The channel is encrypted but is available with a free-to-view viewing card. There is some speculation that the channel may go free-to-air alongside BBC HD when its current contract with BSkyB expires.

[edit] Five

Five has not announced any HD plans to date.

[edit] Sky

BSkyB began Sky HD transmissions of several channels in May 2006.

[edit] Platforms

[edit] Terrestrial

There have been no terrestrial HD transmissions other than two low-power trial multiplexes in London.

[edit] Satellite: Sky HD

Sky HD has been carrying several HD channels since May 2006.

[edit] Satellite: Freesat

Freesat launched on 2008-05-06. It provides an alternative to Sky and includes support for HD.

[edit] Cable: V+

Virgin Media cable carries the BBC HD channel and on demand content from several broadcasters as part of its V+ service.[5]

[edit] References

  1. ^ BBC HD. Retrieved on 2007-09-19.
  2. ^ Confirmed: ITV HD is Freesat exclusive. Digitalspy (2008-05-06). Retrieved on 2008-05-06.
  3. ^ "HD version of ITV to launch next Spring", Digital Spy, 12 September 2007. Retrieved on 2007-09-12. 
  4. ^ James Welsh. Channel 4 HD to launch in December. Retrieved on 2007-09-19.
  5. ^ Virginmedia: High Definition TV. Retrieved on 2007-09-19.


[edit] See also