TH
The best option for the new space would be to use it for a BBC One HD simulcast. Once it has been rolled out to all platforms, BBC One content can be removed from BBC HD, which will still find it easy to fill a schedule made up of content from all other channels (as well as reruns of BBC One programmes). I don't think there will be a need for approval from the BBC Trust either, as it won't be a new service.
There has been some speculation about it already - http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2009/06/02/bbc-one-not-yet-at-hd-tipping-point/ , but the latest news about Five HD should put more pressure on the BBC.
The mixed-genre HD channels were the obvious option when HDTV was a new technology, but as more HD content and capacity becomes available they make less sence. They are confusing to viewers and many broadcasters are moving away from them. The bandwidth waste of broadcasting upscaled content would be a very temporary matter, as all production is slowly going HD. As BBC One broadcasts almost solely new material, it could be 70-90 percent HD in a few years.
The rest of Europe that have already gone HD OTA have gone for HD DVB-T using H264. Therefore there are DVB-T H264 HD sets knocking around already - it's what Sweden, Norway, France, Ireland etc. are using for HD (and in Norway and Ireland's case SD, and in France SD Pay-TV)
There have been a number of HD H264 DVB-T sets on sale in Britain for a little while now - that will work fine in HD elsewhere in Europe - but not in the UK where we're the first to use T2.
Actually, there are other countries that intend to launch DVB-T2 services this year. SVT in Sweden recently suspended their HD broadcasts with DVB-T, and are intending to take part in a greater launch later this year which will see eight HD channels broadcast nationwide on two multiplexes using DVB-T2. The same goes for Finland who are also gearing up for the launch of two DVB-T2 multiplexes this year.
There has been some speculation about it already - http://www.broadbandtvnews.com/2009/06/02/bbc-one-not-yet-at-hd-tipping-point/ , but the latest news about Five HD should put more pressure on the BBC.
The mixed-genre HD channels were the obvious option when HDTV was a new technology, but as more HD content and capacity becomes available they make less sence. They are confusing to viewers and many broadcasters are moving away from them. The bandwidth waste of broadcasting upscaled content would be a very temporary matter, as all production is slowly going HD. As BBC One broadcasts almost solely new material, it could be 70-90 percent HD in a few years.
The rest of Europe that have already gone HD OTA have gone for HD DVB-T using H264. Therefore there are DVB-T H264 HD sets knocking around already - it's what Sweden, Norway, France, Ireland etc. are using for HD (and in Norway and Ireland's case SD, and in France SD Pay-TV)
There have been a number of HD H264 DVB-T sets on sale in Britain for a little while now - that will work fine in HD elsewhere in Europe - but not in the UK where we're the first to use T2.
Actually, there are other countries that intend to launch DVB-T2 services this year. SVT in Sweden recently suspended their HD broadcasts with DVB-T, and are intending to take part in a greater launch later this year which will see eight HD channels broadcast nationwide on two multiplexes using DVB-T2. The same goes for Finland who are also gearing up for the launch of two DVB-T2 multiplexes this year.
