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New HD channels - 10 more on Freeview, 5 from the BBC

(July 2013)

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JC
JonathanC
Big news in the world of HD today.

Quote:

Ofcom is today creating the opportunity for TV viewers to receive up to ten additional high-definition channels through their rooftop aerial.
The new capacity will be made available on digital terrestrial TV (DTT) by using airwaves freed up by the digital switchover, located at 600 MHz, and could triple the number of HD channels currently available on the platform.

http://media.ofcom.org.uk/2013/07/16/new-hd-channels-on-terrestrial-tv/

Second, everything else is coming up HD from the beeb:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/latestnews/2013/bbchdchannels.html
Quote:
The BBC today announced it will launch five new subscription-free BBC HD channels. The new channels - BBC News HD, BBC Three HD, BBC Four HD, CBeebies HD and CBBC HD - will launch by early 2014 and will be offered to all digital television platforms that carry HD channels.*

In addition, within the next six months, the BBC will present to the BBC Trust a proposal covering the technical options and timetable to launch English Regional variants of BBC One HD and variants of BBC Two HD for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
DA
Dave Founding member
Also a very positive move...

Quote:
In addition, within the next six months, the BBC will present to the BBC Trust a proposal covering the technical options and timetable to launch English Regional variants of BBC One HD and variants of BBC Two HD for Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
RW
Robert Williams Founding member
So as far as Freeview is concerned, BBC Three HD and CBBC HD take the fifth slot that no one else wants on the existing HD multiplex, while the others will be going on the new HD capacity which won't be available in many parts of the UK (for example, where I live).

These are the transmitters expected to receive the complete HD service: http://www.a516digital.com/2013/02/where-are-extra-freeview-hd-channels.html
Last edited by Robert Williams on 16 July 2013 10:38am
LL
London Lite Founding member
So unless you live in the London region or receive Meridian from Bluebell Hill, a huge area of Southern England won't receive BBC Four, BBC News or CBeebies in HD.

It's 1997 all over again with C5's analogue coverage.
MI
Mike516
Bic Basher posted:
So unless you live in the London region or receive Meridian from Bluebell Hill, a huge area of Southern England won't receive BBC Four, BBC News or CBeebies in HD.

It's 1997 all over again with C5's analogue coverage.


Interestingly, the frequencies earmarked for the new services include the ex-C5 analogue frequencies in many parts of the UK. Vodafone objected to these new services, wanting the band to be cleared asap for mobile broadband.
JA
JAS84
I don't suppose this will prompt a relaunch of all BBC TV channels? None of the current idents would in HD - not even for the two current HD channels.
ST
steveboswell
Bic Basher posted:
So unless you live in the London region or receive Meridian from Bluebell Hill, a huge area of Southern England won't receive BBC Four, BBC News or CBeebies in HD.

It's 1997 all over again with C5's analogue coverage.


Well, yes, but realistically, what can they do? Until the number of DVB-T2 sets/boxes in use reaches parity with "standard" Freeview SD equipment, they can't upgrade existing DVB-T multiplexes, and with the mobile companies introducing 4G services they don't have much capacity to play with.
DV
dvboy
Tumble Tower will be livid if he lives in the South East.
JA
jay Founding member
JAS84 posted:
I don't suppose this will prompt a relaunch of all BBC TV channels? None of the current idents would in HD - not even for the two current HD channels.


Lets hope so - I've been thinking BBC Three has been looking tired and dated for a while now, especially 60 Second News..
TM
tmorgan96
So any ideas what will the other 5 channels be? ITV 2, 3 and 4 in HD? Channel 5 HD?
DT
DTV
tmorgan96 posted:
So any ideas what will the other 5 channels be? ITV 2, 3 and 4 in HD? Channel 5 HD?


I'm almost definetely sure that it won't be ITV2, 3 or 4 HD as they are all pay to view channels and are a way of raising money for ITV, Channel 5 HD though was due to launch on Freeview in 2010 but didn't reach the criteria however has said that it is committed to making it available on Freeview. Perhaps ITV will change it's ways although the BBC Channels are starting next year which is when ITV's license is up for renewal so. It could also be some of the Channel 4 HD Channels, BT Sport or UKTV Channels

Also - From my understanding BBC Three and CBBC will share a channel on Freeview and so will BBC Four and CBeebies and BBC News will have a third so does that leave 7 more HD openings on Freeview. And on Freesat, Sky and Virgin will the all be separate?
BC
Blake Connolly Founding member
DTV posted:
Also - From my understanding BBC Three and CBBC will share a channel on Freeview and so will BBC Four and CBeebies and BBC News will have a third so does that leave 7 more HD openings on Freeview. And on Freesat, Sky and Virgin will the all be separate?


Think it'll be 8 more, because CBBC HD/BBC Three HD will be using the existing spare slot.

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