BBC HD

Hence my original point - with limited capacity on Freeview it would be better if the HD "red button" channel offered content not otherwise available on Freeview rather than just simulcasted 301. Indeed my preference would be for the capacity for the channel to be used for 3-4 extra SD channels instead for the games duration.


Sadly the BBC have decided (under the guise of cost cutting and "platform neutrality") that the best way to address the complaints from Freeview folk since a second interactive stream was axed is to make satellite and cable viewers suffer just because there isn't enough bandwidth on Freeview and after the Olympics cut back to just one interactive stream on all channels.

So if cost cutting and platform neutrality are merely a "guise", what's their real reason for cutting the red button services?

Because they're tedious, woeful and about to be usurped by superior internet-connected TV services like YouView?

*BUZZ*

I'm sorry, the correct answer was, "Because only Brekkie watches red button, and only then so he can moan about the content".

Because by cutting back the streams on satellite they can give up a whole transponder and save several million pounds a year.

Plus, what he said

The BBC is planning a "Summer of 3D" with some high profile sports, Planet Dinosaur and Last Night of the Proms to be broadcast in 3D on BBC HD.

How this fits in with the larger HD/3D strategy escapes me. One summer of 3D events, and then nothing more?

http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/summer-of-3d.html

It's a two year trial. There are a number of future options- IP is coming on leaps and bounds, theres the (at present) unused HD DTT capacity. Unlike at the end of the BBC HD trial- by which time HD was really taking off and keeping it going was an obvious choice, its questionable whether a broadcast tiral should become any sort of peremanant - even if occasional - service. Sky aside, very few broadcasters are pushing 3D, there doesn't seem to be the interest.

Maybe it'll carry on as it has been during the tiral- occasional big show piece events but broadcast as a temporary channel if capacity allows, otherwise available via IP on various platforms.

Olympics 3D schedule announced

http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/bbcinternet/2012/07/3d_schedule_olympics.html

BBC HD have always had a 60-second HD 'bumper' to allow people to set up their telly and find their specs - it's nice to hear them doing something creative with it too.