Won't all 9 of the channels need to shut down for a bit to allow for the change?
I can't imagine it could be done immediately. I can't see any gaps on the EPG between Wednesday and Thursday...
From what I can make out most of the behind-the-scenes stuff has already been done. You can clearly see the ARC switchovers when they go to breaks etc at the moment. Looks like they've done the hard work already -- actual widescreen will be a political decision at this point.
And as we've seen, some programmes have already been broadcast in full 16:9, so the means of doing so is clearly already in place - it'll just be a case of showing more programmes in widescreen.
I think they've actually had the technically ability for quite some time, but the programme library was mostly 4:3 and the process of reformatting programmes and ensuring they're all working correctly has taken a bit of time.
Since the World Cup they've been showing selected programmes in 16:9.
Ray Mears in 14:9 (4:3 frame). Looks like they've made no effort to rebuy programmes where they were made in 16:9.
Part of me is thinking that they'll have initially brought things that will air in prime time, so the new series of Top Gear, and the newer episodes of programmes like Qi, Mock The Week and Have I Got News For You. I presume that the same will be for the other UKTV channels too.
