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HD versions of ITV, Channel 4 and BBC coming to Freeview HD in 2009
Let us speak for all of the UK when we inhale a deep breath of fresh air and say: "Finally!" After hearing earlier this year that plans were in place for Freeview to take the HD plunge in the UK, Ofcom has just made it official. Beginning next year, ITV, Channel 4 and BBC will launch high-def channels on the platform, with an expected go-live date of "late autumn" 2009. It was also confirmed that a fourth HD channel was expected to launch by 2010. As for coverage areas, it's slated to be available in the Granada region next year, followed by Wales, Scotland and the West Country in 2010; Central, Yorkshire, Anglia and Meridian in 2011; and London, Tyne Tees and Ulster by 2012. Oh, and we hate to burst your bubble somewhat, but an all-new set-top-box will be required to juggle both the MPEG-4 and DVB-T2 standards -- bugger![Thanks, Ruaidhri]
BBC HD making Scandinavia debut on Canal Digital this December
BBC HD is taking one more step on its road to world domination by making its debut in continental Europe later this year. The channel is set to launch on Nordic pay-TV platform Canal Digital this December in Scandinavia, and it'll be landing alongside the SD stations BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle and BBC Entertainment. There's no word yet on whether there will be an additional fee for access to the channel, but believe us when we say it'll be worth it even if so.[Thanks, Mats]
BBC's DVB-T2 Freeview HD trials deemed a success
We're not quite sure what this means for the immediate future of OTA programming in the UK, but we suppose a "huzzah!" is in order either way. Reportedly, those complicated DVB-T2 Freeview HD trials that were underway have been successful, with Auntie Beeb achieving the "world's first reception of HD pictures over DTT using DVB-T2." If you couldn't guess, DVB-T2 is a successor to the existing DVB-T broadcasting protocol which provides additional bandwidth and more swagger to TV signals. In theory, the switch to DVB-T2 (in conjunction with the move to MPEG-4 from MPEG-2) will enable more high-def content to be available in the UK. Of course, when we say "more," we basically mean "any" -- estimates assert that just three HD stations will be available OTA in the UK by 2009, one of which will be owned by the BBC and the other two by ITV, Channel 4 or Five.
SES ASTRA tardily trumpets 12 channels of HD Olympics across Europe
There's nothing here that wasn't apparent already, but SES ASTRA is just now getting around to boasting about a dozen HD channels that it's hosting to broadcast the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Ready for an exhaustive list? The channels broadcasting the Olympics in HD include for the UK, BBC HD, for France, France 2 HD and CANAL+ HD, for Germany, ANIXE HD, for Poland, TVP HD, for the Slovak Republic, STV3, for the Netherlands, 1 HD, for Belgium een HD, for Spain, TELEDEPORTE HD, for Sweden, Viasat HD and SVT HD and for Austria, ORF HD. So yeah, if you somehow missed this for the first week of the Games, at least you're clued in now.[Image courtesy of Beijing 2008]
New head of BBC HD aims to get serious about high-def programming
Those feeling a little let down by what BBC HD offers have renewed hope for the future, as Seetha Kumar has "been replaced as the head of BBC HD by Danielle Nagler, who most recently worked as head of the director general's office." Reportedly, the new boss' main priorities are to "focus on growing the channel by driving consumer take-up, working with in-house and independent producers to increase HD programming, and leading preparations for BBC HD's launch on Freeview." Better still, Nagler understands that the potential for high-def uptake in the UK and elsewhere is huge, and he's hoping to make BBC HD "a mainstream choice" for its audiences. From here, we're hoping that a big push in high-definition from Auntie Beeb will encourage other channels to make the requisite investments and follow suit. After all, you can expect consumers to shell out for HD content when there isn't any to buy.
BBC forges ahead with DVB-T2 Freeview HD trial
Although Freeview has been destined for HD for quite some time, it has been far too long since we've heard about any progress. Thankfully, the Beeb is attempting to change all that, and it's moving forward with DVB-T2 tests. Reportedly, said standard is an advanced version of DVB-T -- the protocol currently used in the UK for digital terrestrial transmissions -- that provides an increase in efficiency and more bandwidth for more content. If all goes to plan, at least three high-def channels (one of which will be BBC) will be carried via DVB-T2 by the close of 2009, but it seems that ITV, Channel 4 and Five will have to cast lots for the remaining two openings.[Via Digital Spy]
BBC teaming with NHK for Super Hi-Vision trials
Talk about getting around. Auntie Beeb has jumped from Freeview to FreeSat to Sky HD to iPlayer to who knows where else in no particular order, and while the vast majority of Europe is still struggling to adopt vanilla HD, the network is already dipping its toes in the next best thing. Reportedly, the BBC is all set to participate in a transmission trial using the Super Hi-Vision (SHV) system developed by Japan's NHK. The series of demonstrations will combine content from Japan and London, and the actual screenings are supposed to take place in the NHK Theater using an 8k x 4k projector. We'll admit, this isn't the very first time we've heard that The Beeb may be interested in this stuff, but with the UK-based 2012 Olympics growing ever closer, it looks like the dedication may be ratcheting up.[Via TechRadar, thank L. Rawlins]
Top Gear HD, NBC editions stuck in park
Remember how excited we were to hear that the next season of Top Gear might be delivered from across the pond in HD glory, and that NBC was considering producing an American edition? How we danced in the streets, partook of libations, and slaughtered the fatted calf? Scratch all that, as it appears neither is coming to fruition, at least anytime soon. Autoblog has word that NBC couldn't find a cast for Top Gear (although they've had no problem scratching together a group for that abomination of a Knight Rider remake), while the BBC edition is without a debut date for a new (& shortened) season, and has only word of "specific production challenges" when questioned about HD. While we've been blessed with a bevy of horsepower in HD this year, it's just not the same without Jeremy, Richard and The Stig.Read - We've been lied to: New episodes of Top Gear actually not coming June 15Read - NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now
FreeSat gets hands-on treatment
That's the way to show your dedication for high-def! Just a day after FreeSat went live across the pond, CNET's UK branch has already had a chance to check out a £150 Grundig HD box, top-of-the-line Humax FOXSAT-HD set-top, the EPGs on both and of course, BBC HD. From way over here, the snaps sure look fine, and we couldn't be happier for blokes / dames halfway across the world to have a new alternative for fetching HD content. Tap the read link and have a look, won't you?
FreeSat TV service goes live across the UK
We knew it was coming, and after waiting for quite some time for FreeSat to go from concept to reality, television viewers across the UK can finally indulge. If you'll recall, a recent survey found that just 5-percent of Europe's HDTV owners actually bothered to tune into HD programming, but now that number is likely to change. Effective today, 98-percent of the UK can fork out a one-time fee of £49 ($96) to £120 ($234) in order to acquire a FreeSat set-top-box, and after an £80 ($156) installation, users will have subscription-free access to BBC HD, ITV HD (coming soon), Channel 4's digital service and around 70 other TV / radio channels. Better still, that number is slated to rise to 200 before the year's end, and unsurprisingly, the launch is expected to boost available high-def offerings in the region. Anyone across the pond have their equipment set up already? How's the service?[Thanks, Ivan]
FreeSat launch details emerge, service begins May 6
You patient folks over in the UK have waited a long time for FreeSat to become a reality, and it seems as if that wait will come to an end this Friday. According to an anonymous source across the pond, his store has received a memo stating that the service will go live on April 25th May 6th. Additionally, professional installation is set to run customers around £80, while receivers will set citizens back £40 to £100 depending on which box you choose. We're also told that both SD and HD set-top-boxes will be available, and even though they're expecting a rush of orders from day one, installation should be taken care of within a week or so at the latest. Hopefully this little birdie isn't too far off -- guess we'll find out soon enough.Update: It's looking like May 6th now.
'Frozen Planet' due out before Hell freezes over
The enduring popularity of "Planet Earth" is compelling enough to its backers to convince them to go back to the well. The Discovery Channel and BBC's Natural History Unit are teaming up again to cover the poles of the Earth in "Frozen Planet." HD content captured from the Arctic and Antarctic? Sign us up! You've got plenty of time to continue enjoying that HDM copy of Planet Earth, though -- the new feature is not set to air until 2012. Yeah, that hurts, but quality takes time, friends. The real question is what HDM format this feature will emerge on (if any still exist); this is one title we'll be putting in our library wishlist.
BBC criticizes Sony, Microsoft's approach to streaming video on consoles
Why does the hardly-home-theater styled Wii have BBC's iPlayer, and not the much more media player-focused Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3? A note from a BBC employees blog details the troubles of getting things set up with Sony and Microsoft (although with a little tweaking, a PS3 owner has already set up PS3iPlayer.com to give the console iPlayer access) officially, since "they want control of the look, the feel and the experience". Sure BBC's iPlayer is Flash-based (and not the good 1080p Flash either) but their issues could indicate how difficult it will be for other interested parties like Netflix to gain access to the walled garden.[Via Joystiq]
BBC HD heads to Taiwan on Chunghwa Telecom
BBC HD is about to head east -- way east. This month, the channel will make its Taiwanese debut via an SVOD (subscription video-on-demand) service on Chunghwa Telecom. Viewers who tune in will reportedly be able to select from "ten three-hour multiple genre blocks of programs at any one time," which will feature "drama, comedy, documentary, natural history, music and arts programming." Of note, the channel will be shown in English with traditional Chinese subtitles added on, but there will be "program promos and navigational menus in traditional Chinese."[Via Variety]
Freeview going HD in the UK
It's official: HD aficionados in the UK will soon be able to get their fix via Freeview. If you'll recall, the Freeview HD trial that took place in 2006 went over quite well, and according to Ofcom, up to four free HD channels will be broadcast. Unfortunately, users looking forward to such niceties will be forced to wait until analog is switched off in their neck of the woods, and of course they'll also need an HD-ready TV and a new set-top-box. We've already heard that BBC will be one of the four channels, and ITV, Channel 4, Five and Welsh network S4C have all been "invited to bid for [the other] three slots in which they can broadcast high-definition TV or other new services." On the upside, the whole of the country should be digital by 2012, just in time for the London Olympics -- and for those lucky souls in and around Whitehaven, you'll get the spoils first.[Thanks, Kieran and Andy]
BBC broadcasting Rugby Six Nations match in 3D
Not happy letting us Yankees get away with all the 3D sporting action, the BBC plans to test a 3D HD broadcast of a Rugby Six Nations match next month. A lot like the NBA's test with last year's All-Star Game and NBA Finals, the March 8th game between Scotland and England will be captured by three camera rigs and then transmitted via satellite -- unlike the fiber connection used by the NBA -- to an audience watching a big screen with 3D glasses. Can Communicate, Inition and Axis are the companies forming 3DFirm, which is partnering with the Beeb to make the whole thing happen, including working out a new style of camera work and post production. We won't say we're waiting for a 3D broadcast of real football to get excited about these tests (we'll just think it.)
Foxtel's HD+ hits Australia in mid-2008
Australians have another HD provider to look forward to, as Foxtel has announced its HD+ service, launching mid-2008. Slated to start with four full time HD channels, featuring content from BBC HD, Discovery HD, National Geographic HD, Fox Sports HD and ESPN HD, Foxtel calls it the most expansive HD offering in Australia, more than the Seven and Ten networks. Plans call for more channels after another satellite goes up in 2009, meanwhile the company is rolling the service out with a new iQ2 set-top DVR box complete with 320GB HD for recordings and On Demand content downloaded either via cable or satellite. Most importantly, customers can expect to catch the 2010 Commonwealth Games in HD, and check out a very trippy animated representation of HD's pixels on Foxtel's website and blog. Frankly, we're not sure the blog is a good idea, with only 20% of customers estimated to have an HDTV, who would really read daily updates on high definition related issues? Read - Announcing Foxtel HD+ Read - Meet the Pixels
BBC still mulling Blu-ray exclusive decision
We already knew that New Line Cinema (owned by Time Warner, which also owns Engadget's parent companies) and HBO Home Video would be following Warner into the land of the Blu, but it seems as if BBC Video (which also distributes through Warner) has yet to make a decision of its own. According to TVShowsOnDVD, The Beeb has reiterated that it will continue to support both HD DVD / Blu-ray for now and "will evaluate the marketplace before committing to one format." Apparently, Planet Earth has been moving quite well on the red front, and considering just how different its content is compared with New Line / HBO, we wouldn't be shocked to see it stick with both for awhile longer. Still, the cards are certainly stacked in BD's favor, but only time will tell if the BBC will continue to bleed purple.
BBC officially launches HD channel
The writing has certainly been on the wall, particularly of late, but the long-awaited dedicated BBC HD has finally launched on cable and satellite. This means that viewers will be able to see programs such as Strictly Come Dancing and Cranford in high-definition, and moreover, the Queen's Christmas message will also be broadcast in HD for the first time this year. As we'd heard, Freeview audiences will still have to wait, but those tuning in via cable / satellite can catch HD programming for nine hours per day that will showcase content from all of the BBC's stations. Notably, Kill Bill and Sin City are also on the list to be shown in HD later this month, which should certainly inject a healthy dose of holiday cheer (or violent tendencies) into your soul. So, for those of you in Britain, how's the new station?[Via HDTV Reviews]
BBC, ITV and Channel 4 team up for on-demand service
Don't look now, but it seems that three rivals in the UK have found enough love in their hearts (or promise for profitability) to team up for the good of the consumer. Reportedly, the BBC, ITV and Channel 4 will be joining hands in order to deliver an on-demand service that hopes to "bring together hundreds of hours of television programs in one place" -- a collaborative effort once known as Project Kangaroo. Of course, the grand idea still has to be approved by the BBC Trust and other broadcasters' boards, and an official name for the service still has to be thought up, but at least the wheels are apparently turning, right? We're hearing that content from the trio will be available for "free download, streaming, rental and purchase via the internet, with expansion onto other platforms planned," and just in case you were curious, the iPlayer, ITV's catch-up service and Channel 4oD will indeed coexist with the new aggregator. Hang tight UK, the to-be-named service is set to go live sometime next year should things pan out nicely.[Via Yahoo / Reuters]
