BBC2 HD ?

Is BBC2 on HD yet?

Not as such.

We have BBC One HD (a simulcast of BBC One, obvz) and BBC HD (which shows select HD content from BBC Two, Three and Four). BBC HD is to be replaced by BBC Two HD at some point.

I think BBC HD becoming BBC Two HD was part of the BBC's Delivering Quality First cost-saving proposals (by switching to a simulcast they reduce the BBC's play out costs - removing channel scheduling and play out requirements)

However I think these proposals are still being considered by the BBC Trust (and the Local Radio changes are likely to be modified as a result for instance) - so until they have been approved, I doubt anything will happen.

As BBC Two is going to be an Olympics-free zone, I'd expect BBC Two HD to arrive after the Olympics, so that BBC One/BBC One HD and BBC Three/BBC HD can show both simultaneous Olympic broadcasts in HD?

I would hope that is the case Noggin - but you never know with the Beeb. They might come up with some logic that they should serve non-Olympic viewers in HD too.

A little thought that's been floating in my head a few days now: if - nay, when - BBC2 HD arrives, where's the HD diamond logo going to go?

It wouldn't fit in the box - without resizing the word mark - and it would look daft outside the box. Would the box go completely à la BBC One? Maybe a whole new look...

Just curious!

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctwo/images/common/two_ident.gif

I imagine similar to the BBC One HD boxed logo...

http://www.seenit.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/media/bbc1hd1.jpg

Darn.

Forgot about that one.

However, trying to look not so stupid, I was thinking more of the animated logo that you see on trailers on BBC One which isn't limited by a box as it might be on Two. I guess it would fit, but not comfortably.

If they can get Northern Ireland to "fit"...

By the time it launches, it would normally be about the right stage for a rebrand anyway (6 years on). But times are tight... perhaps more Citizen 2s will be the order of the day, then you'd be crying for the gorgeous, underrated Windows back.

Also - what about HD programs that are on BBC Three and BBC Four?

Tough, under the proposed plans. And that's where the sticking point is, the loss of flexibility/independent scheduling.

It just seems odd to be taking a backward step in terms of HD programming, something that is becoming increasingly important. Surely there are other places where money can be saved, even if it's just a small element like removal of announcers and automated playout systems (excuse my ignorance, I'm not clued up on these things)

Yeah personally I can't see any sense at all of replacing BBC HD with BBC2 HD. BBBC Three has a lot of comedies and new commissions which are or have potential to be made in HD. I mean a set up like ITV would work, as having ITV 4 HD for sport and movies (Which is a large chunk of the channel) is great. In my opinion either; Create a BBC2 HD and keep BBC HD for programmes from 3, 4, CBBC, Cbebbies and any BBC News broadcasts or just leave everything as it is BBC HD does a fine job as it is if I ain't broke don't fix it!