On 26/03/2008, Andrew Bowden <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > Freesat will have a mixture of HD and SD channels (exact lineup still to > be announced). The BBC will be using the same physical video streams that > are used on the Sky platform, so the only HD channel from the BBC will > continue to be BBC HD. >
I still can't help thinking that this is a terrible idea. The BBC has a massive investment in the BBC+number brands. BBC One has been around for 44 years with that name and nearly 75 years as a channel. BBC Two has had been on air for 44 years. Even BBC Four is now six, BBC three is five. Historicially, BBC One has gone from low-res VHF mono transmissions, to colour UHF ones, then in stereo and then digitally. BBC Two started out in colour UHF, and has transitioned to digital. BBC three, Four, CBBC and CBeebies have all been digital only. News 24 and Parliament started on analogue cable systems. So, now, instead of these channels transforming into digital channels - something every consumer can understand - some of the programmes will be in HD, but you will need to actually leave the well-understood branded BBC channels for a HD service that has no defined programming remit, other than to simulcast programmes from the other channels. This is a terrible proposition to put in front of the public. Why buy a HDTV (if you don't have one) if you only get a damp squib of a BBC channel. ITV plans to make ITV1 in HD, Channel 4 is doing (already) C4HD, five will do HD. Even Sky has HD versions of the existing channels. Please Auntie, stop this nonsense! I understand it's hard to put the regional/national inserts into HD versions of the channels, but the current HDTV service looks as awful as the idea of "UK Today" that used to go out on satellite: something to please everyone that pleases nobody. ------------------------------ > *From:* [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto: > [EMAIL PROTECTED] *On Behalf Of *Brian Butterworth > *Sent:* 26 March 2008 09:30 > *To:* [email protected] > *Subject:* [backstage] Is Freesat going to be HD only? > > > Is it true that the new BBC/ITV Freesat service (starting 5th May) will > be "HD only"? > > Seems a reasonable marketing proposition ("like Freeview but HD") than > the alternative ("like Freeview if you can't get Freeview"). > > So, does this mean there's going to be all the BBC channels in full-time > HD, rather than the 9-hour "simulcast service"? > > > -- Please email me back if you need any more help. Brian Butterworth http://www.ukfree.tv
