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

(July 2013)

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JA
jay Founding member
DTV posted:
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?


I'm hoping that the BBC channels that have no regional variants will take full advantage of the Sky ' EPG-swap' system, so the HD version of BBC Three for example, would be on 115 for HD subscribers. For this to work they would all need to be on separate channel numbers.
GM
Gary McEwan
jay posted:
DTV posted:
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?


I'm hoping that the BBC channels that have no regional variants will take full advantage of the Sky 'EPG-swap' system, so the HD version of BBC Three for example, would be on 115 for HD subscribers. For this to work they would all need to be on separate channel numbers.


Nah they probably won't as I've asked Sky if they were planning on moving BBC 1 Scotland HD from 141 to 101, and they stated that wouldn't be happening.
MA
Markymark
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.


Coverage will be better than C5's was. Rowridge, Hannington, Oxford and Bluebell Hill are the 'Meridian' area
transmitters that will carry the two muxes. C5 was only available from Fawley Power station as a low power service for just Southampton, a northern only beam from Hannington, and the Brighton, TW, and Hastings relays
JA
jay Founding member
Gary McEwan posted:
jay posted:
DTV posted:
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?


I'm hoping that the BBC channels that have no regional variants will take full advantage of the Sky 'EPG-swap' system, so the HD version of BBC Three for example, would be on 115 for HD subscribers. For this to work they would all need to be on separate channel numbers.


Nah they probably won't as I've asked Sky if they were planning on moving BBC 1 Scotland HD from 141 to 101, and they stated that wouldn't be happening.


I think that's due to the other areas of the UK not having their region in HD on BBC ONE as yet. The other channels (3/4/News etc.) don't have regional variants and so could be swapped. At least that's the theory anyway.
MA
Markymark
jay posted:
Gary McEwan posted:
jay posted:
DTV posted:
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?


I'm hoping that the BBC channels that have no regional variants will take full advantage of the Sky 'EPG-swap' system, so the HD version of BBC Three for example, would be on 115 for HD subscribers. For this to work they would all need to be on separate channel numbers.


Nah they probably won't as I've asked Sky if they were planning on moving BBC 1 Scotland HD from 141 to 101, and they stated that wouldn't be happening.


I think that's due to the other areas of the UK not having their region in HD on BBC ONE as yet. The other channels (3/4/News etc.) don't have regional variants and so could be swapped. At least that's the theory anyway.


It's tied up with Ofcom/DCMS rules, and the HD versions not being considered PSB services (despite being identical in programming content to PSB SD services !) and therefore not being permitted to have greater 'prominence' than the equivalent SD services on EPGs. Madness isn't it ?
VM
VMPhil
I feel like I've gone 5 years forward in time, didn't expect this to happen so soon under the current circumstances (license fee freeze, DQF, closing of BBC HD in favour of a simulcast etc). Great news though obviously Smile
BR
Brekkie
Just hope that come 2018 the space isn't withdrawn for the oh so important mobile companies. Hopefully existing Freeview channels get first refusal - C5 surely can't put off launching on Freeview HD any longer, while I'm sure ITV's exclusive HD deal with Sky had come to an end, though presumably transmission on Freeview lessens what they get paid on Sky. E4 and Film4 would be the front runners from C4 I imagine, while UKTV could take at least one slot. Wouldn't be surprised to see BT Sport go after two.

Although obviously eventually all channels should switch to HD (by which time that'll probably be the outdated mode fo transmission) considering 50% can't receive them I do wonder if the BBC would have been better off sticking with the red button option, expanding it to cover programming too - or essentially reinstating BBC HD for their digital channels. Long term though this is obviously the better option - and short term probably the cheaper option too, while the regions and BBC2 nations is long overdue. I guess the BBC will be signifcantly increasing their HD transponder space on satellite then.

Also is this just going to increase the digital divide - is any effort being made to upgrade "Freeview Lite" areas or are they just stuck with that while folk in other areas (including for once, mine!) with the full line up just get more and more channels with the next major improvement to the network.
Last edited by Brekkie on 16 July 2013 7:50pm - 3 times in total
RD
rdd Founding member
Dave posted:
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.


I presume this is the end of any talk of closing the BBC Two nations, as was hinted at in DQF. It would have caused nightmares for sports coverage if it had happened.
KY
Kendo Yanar
DTV posted:
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.


Since when have ITV2, 3 and 4 been pay channels? (In case of a crucial misunderstanding, this is just a stupid question by an expat.)
JO
Jon
Kendo Yanar posted:
DTV posted:
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.


Since when have ITV2, 3 and 4 been pay channels? (In case of a crucial misunderstanding, this is just a stupid question by an expat.)

These are the HD versions, it's been the case since launch and exclusive to Sky.
VM
VMPhil
Jon posted:
Kendo Yanar posted:
DTV posted:
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.


Since when have ITV2, 3 and 4 been pay channels? (In case of a crucial misunderstanding, this is just a stupid question by an expat.)

These are the HD versions, it's been the case since launch and exclusive to Sky.


Were exclusive to Sky; been available on Virgin Media since March. But yes, exclusive to pay TV.
KY
Kendo Yanar
VMPhil posted:
Jon posted:
Kendo Yanar posted:
DTV posted:
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.


Since when have ITV2, 3 and 4 been pay channels? (In case of a crucial misunderstanding, this is just a stupid question by an expat.)

These are the HD versions, it's been the case since launch and exclusive to Sky.


Were exclusive to Sky; been available on Virgin Media since March. But yes, exclusive to pay TV.


Oh, thanks for that.

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