The decision ultimately rested with the BBC Trust as part of the Public
Value Test. Their conclusions on content were:
3.32 There was considerable support from respondents for our
provisional conclusion that the BBC HD channel should aim always to show
programmes which most benefit from the HD uplift, rather than simply
simulcast BBC One during peak time. We acknowledged in our provisional
conclusions that, in practice, many of the BBC One programmes will
represent the best use of HD capacity. But simulcasting BBC One at prime
time could result in the peak-time transmission on the HD channel of
programmes which benefit less from HD than programmes from other BBC
channels that might have higher HD value.
3.33 The BBC Executive has told us that "where possible, the
core peak-time 'spine' of BBC One's high impact, modern, popular
content" would be "complemented by high quality HD content from across
other channels and the archive." We recognised the need for the channel
to offer a coherent schedule comprising a mixture of genres. But we
reiterate that the channel should aim to schedule the programmes from
across the BBC's portfolio of channels which would play most effectively
to the benefits of HD. Prime-time scheduling should not be guided solely
by the motivation to simulcast BBC One.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbctrust/assets/files/pdf/consult/hdtv/pvt_final_co
nclusions.pdf
That's the decision the BBC management have to work to. At this time,
when there is limited HD content available in the archives (BBC HD isn't
exactly brimming with new programmes at the moment) and not all
programming is being made in HD, then it's argurable that the costs of a
second (and potentially third and fourth) channel aren't worthwhile.
However if HD takes off - as most people expect it will - will BBC HD be
the only channel in the long term? Personally my view is that
ultimately BBC HD will turn into BBC One HD, and will be coupled with
BBC Two HD and so on.
Now someone just has to make the space on the satellites for all these
channels.
________________________________
From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
[mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Brian Butterworth
Sent: 26 March 2008 13:45
To: [email protected]
Subject: Re: [backstage] Is Freesat going to be HD only?
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
