Sky to swap SD and HD EPG positions

It seems Sky are finally swapping SD channel numbers with their HD equivalent on the Sky+ HD EPG. So for HD subscribers we'll get Sky1 HD on 106. Change due to happen on 1st February next year.

http://corporate.sky.com/documents/pdf/20c24d2e1c62406594e1a79de5f917db/Allocating_listings_EPG (section 3.4)

Channels are allowed to opt out however, so I suspect the likes of BBC One and ITV1 won't allow it due to regional issues. But otherwise, great news.

Sky have just started rolling this out to staff in London to test.

Excellent news overall but how will the PSBs respond?

I know for a fact the BBC won't swap round BBC1 and BBC1 HD in the medium term... apart from the national issues in Scotland, Wales and NI the 1830 programmes collectively often get the highest ratings of the evening apart from EastEnders. It would undermine BBC1's offering.

For C4 and C5, the decision is really commercial - about the potential loss of viewers to the advertising micro-regions. There are no editorial or PSB issues.

But what about ITV1 in the ITVplc regions? We all know ITVplc wants shot of English regional news. I can imagine a persuasive argument could be made to Ofcom that ITV1's PSB commitments are about more than the regional news and also include championing HD. Could ITV1 HD prove acceptable on 103 as long as the regional news programmes are still being made and available elsewhere on the EPG? Interesting... interesting.

I'm a great fan of HD but I don't think we're at the stage where a channel is undermined by only being in SD - HD is simply an enhancement. In America, the difference HD made was night and day - the contrast with 520 lines or whatever and NTSC. Here it simply makes the picture richer and in some cases the improvement is subtle - the latest in the gradual series of technical improvements since the 60s. The fact so many people with HD are happy to continue watching the SD versions of channels is the proof.

Your points are well made, aberdeenboy.

I'm not sure whether C4 and C5 will adopt this measure, as non-HD pack subscribers will still be able to see their HD channels, but not get the 'swap' on the EPG. It will be confusing when trying to promote their HD programmes if they want to include a channel number to redirect viewers.

ITV may as well go for the 'swap' as far as I'm concerned. I already get a local news programme from Bristol on 103, and the local news from ITV Central in HD on 178. Both are irrelevant.

Perhaps ITV should buy the 117 slot (not sure who owns it*) and put the SD version on there, ahead of ITV2/3/4.

*It used to belong to the BBC, but I think they lost it through failure to launch anything, which is why their later channels (Alba, HD and One HD) had to launch in the next vacant slot (as is their right as a PSB).

I suspect the rules allocating 101-105 to the PSBs prevent them from moving the HD channel there anyway.

Long overdue really - but still not the absolute solution - the EPG basically needs an overhaul again so either HD channels all get a number which corresponds easily enough to the SD channel - or are grouped together in the same way +1 channels usually are. Unfortunately though the way EPGs work such things can not be tidied up for the benefit of viewers as channels are not allowed to jump each other in the EPG.


And this compromise is going to make listing channel numbers in TV guides and promos a bit messy isn't it?

Another thought...

In the early days of Digital, only a UK-wide BBC2 service was available. BBC2 Scotland, Wales and NI were on analogue only. If and when BBC HD evolves into BBC2 HD, would a swap be acceptable even if swapping BBC1 would be out of the question?

It's reasonable enough for the Sky subscription channels, as the listings won't have to include the HD/SD channel numbers. Those with an HD sub will just get the HD version (there is no need to inform them of their SD version).

However, for the free HD channels (C4, C5) there is a question over whether they should move. They will be in different locations for those who pay/don't pay for an HD sub, despite all being able to receive it.

Indeed. It was BBC CHOICE (later BBC Three) which had the national variants.

Aren't we likely to see BBC HD2 rather than BBC Two HD?

I don't think there'd be any insurmountable issue swapping C4 and C5 Brekkie. Anybody with any sort of Sky HD subscription would have access to the HD versions. It's more a question of the ad regions. If there was a regulatory issue lurking, I'm sure an Ofcom consultation would be enough to sort these things out.

The fundamental questions concern ITV1 where the HD service doesn't carry a vital part of the PSB output. And, as any BBC domestic service is a PSB by definition, it's really for the BBC and the BBC Trust to decide how to use 101 and 102.

Here's a really wacky idea, make the EPG allocations of all channels user definable, just as they are on some more upmarket Freeview receivers.

BBC2 HD is inevitable. Danielle Nagler apparently said last week that the lack of bandwidth on Freeview wouldn't stop new HD channels being launched as and when there was the content to fill them.

As more and more content gets made in HD - by next summer nearly all new BBC programmes should be in HD - BBC HD will almost become BBC2 HD by default and there would be little room for BBC3 and 4 content. So two channels will not be enough before long.

If a significant number of people have Freeview HD by then - and that looks doubtful - I suppose it's conceivable that a mixed bag BBC HD channel might remain on DTT while full simulcasts are offered to cable and satellite viewers.

I wonder if ITV might introduce a couple more versions of ITV1 HD - say Yorkshire and Wales - and if that might be enough to allow a swap to put ITV1 HD on 103?

If I were cynical, I would say a swap would be a clever way of reducing the audience for some of the regional programmes and remaining sub-opts further to make it easier to shed the commitment completely...