China launching first HDTV channel

Not to be confused with SCTV (Second City TV), China's CCTV will begin broadcasting in high-def next month. China Central Television in HD will be available in four cities initially and will require a paid subscription and compatible set-top box. China is expecting to present the 2008 Olympic Games from Beijing in high-definition, so we're considering this a trial run of HD.

In a related note, China has over 340 million analog sets indicating that the digital television market will be huge as the country begins a long, slow transition to digital television. We're starting a pool here at HD Beat; China still might make the full transition before we do here in the States.