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ITV plans HD programming for 2008

Written by James Delahunty @ 16 Sep 2007 7:05 User comments (8)

ITV plans HD programming for 2008 ITV will begin offering high definition programming in early 2008 in the UK. The ITV1 channel will have some programming broadcasts in high definition early next year, as part of "ambitious turnaround plans". ITV will announce ten million pounds in two projects, including the Freesat digital satellite service, a planned joint venture with the British Broadcasting Corporation (BBC).
The new HD service will offer sports and drama content and will start as a 2 hour HD slot during peak times, and increase to three hours of prime time HD. ITV said it is entering the area to capitalize on the growth of high definition television. ITV would like to see HD available over freeview by 2012 as analog broadcasts fade away.

Source:
Pocket-Lint.co.uk

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8 user comments

117.9.2007 09:45

cool

218.9.2007 04:27

Yes, it's about time the terrestrial broadcasters stepped into the fold. After Sky's lambast about Public Service broadcasters and the like, the service should now hopefully be available to the masses and not just the few people who are prepared to shell out for Sky's HD system as well as what they've already spent on TV sets.

318.9.2007 05:55
REAM
Inactive

excellent. championsleague in the HuD

418.9.2007 08:38

Very welcome yes, but why is it taking so long? Japan is already planning to introduce the next HD standard but in the UK the broadcasters are acting like coy virgins. Get on with it for goodness sake.

524.9.2007 14:28

the fact is that everyone is making the transfer before the deadline.

625.9.2007 05:00

What deadline?

Do you mean terrestrial analogue TV switch-off? There is no deadline for the introduction of HD progamming as far as I am aware. Even the BBC who are usually out in front only has one trial HD channel.

725.9.2007 05:34
hughjars
Inactive

Originally posted by JezQuig:
Very welcome yes, but why is it taking so long? Japan is already planning to introduce the next HD standard
- Can you provide some details about this?

Cos from what I've read no-one is doing anything other than 720p/1080i broadcasting.
The problem is that the bandwidth requirements/demands are far to great for anything beyond this to be truly a credible alternative.

Even Sky who have only just (summer 2006) launched their HD TV service (and therefore have possibly the most up-to-date kit in UK broadcasting?) have only gone with 720p/1080i.

But it's good to hear ITV (and Channel 4 btw) are getting on-board with HD TV, atm a lack of HD channels & content on UK TV is a big problem IMO.

825.9.2007 13:39

Originally posted by JezQuig:
What deadline?

Do you mean terrestrial analogue TV switch-off? There is no deadline for the introduction of HD progamming as far as I am aware. Even the BBC who are usually out in front only has one trial HD channel.

I think it highly unlikely that there would be any sort of move towards total HD viewing for some time to come... if at all. See, as much as we all like hi-tech and going one better all the time, the lower tech seems to win through... especially with media formats. After all, who would have thought that lower quality mp3s would win over CD, or that we'd still be mainly burning single layer DVDRs when the technology is there for dual layer?

It'll probably be a two-tier market for many years, and unless theres a big drive to bring down the cost of HD equipment (As has happened with Digital Set-top boxes in the UK), it'll never be as successful as the standard "Telly" format we British are used to. It's more likely that it'll remain a cash cow for the manufacturing industry and will continue to be targeted toward the better off among us.

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