ITV, C4 & C5 in HD

JMcB · 12-03-2007, 10:58

Dose anyone know if ITV, Channle 4&5 are starting HD service soon?

**Chris T** · 12-03-2007, 11:07

I have no info on that but personally I'd be surprised. Most of their viewers tune in to free-to-air signals via analogue or Freeview and neither of those sources support HD. It's not going to be commercially viable for them to switch to HD for some time yet, I wouldn't have thought. Look at who else is doing it - Sky, because they rake in extra subscriptions for it by the million and can therefore afford for it, and the BBC, because part of their public service remit is to push UK broadcast technology forwards (and they receive the licence fee, so can therefore afford it).

Mainstream commercial broadcasters are having a torrid time as it is getting by on ad revenues, without having to invest in HD capability as well.

Of course, if Sky is allowed to effectively set up a 'Freeview v2' service with an MPEG4 STB, things might change. I really think we need the regulator to take a lead on this and stop Sky from jumping the gun, and I think we need legislation to open the way for a HD Freeview service on some of the spectrum freed up after analogue switch-off. That way, the mainstream commercial broadcasters might be able to get into HD without too much pain.

JMcB · 12-03-2007, 11:13

Ok so i under stand about ITV and C4,5. Dose V/M have anyother HD Channels on the way?

**Chris T** · 12-03-2007, 11:18

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMcB

Ok so i under stand about ITV and C4,5. Dose V/M have anyother HD Channels on the way?

Considering most (if not all) of their Flextech channels haven't even managed to start broadcasting in widescreen, even when they have widescreen source material (as is increasingly the case), I'd be mightily surprised!

I believe VM's HD strategy is focused on their VOD offering rather than on traditional broadcast channels.

JMcB · 12-03-2007, 11:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris T

Considering most (if not all) of their Flextech channels haven't even managed to start broadcasting in widescreen, even when they have widescreen source material (as is increasingly the case), I'd be mightily surprised!

I believe VM's HD strategy is focused on their VOD offering rather than on traditional broadcast channels.

I would Love History Channel in HD

Media Boy · 12-03-2007, 11:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by JMcB

Ok so i under stand about ITV and C4,5. Dose V/M have anyother HD Channels on the way?

My Virgin Media insider has told me that Discovery HD is coming in the next few months.

dan_v · 12-03-2007, 11:56

I've just signed up for VM and the guy working there said C5 were looking to add HD in the near future and Discovery were not too far away either.

I've never had cable or HD so looking forward to both on 28/03/07. Bring it on!

Media Boy · 12-03-2007, 12:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by dan_v

I've just signed up for VM and the guy working there said C5 were looking to add HD in the near future and Discovery were not too far away either.

I've never had cable or HD so looking forward to both on 28/03/07. Bring it on!

Hi and

to cable Forum. I did not know they were looking to add Five HD.

JMcB · 12-03-2007, 13:16

Five HD would be very Cool, They have CSI....OMG CSI in HD

Media Boy · 12-03-2007, 13:57

Info I got today from my VM insider:

Quote:

Unless five HD has extended its trial run it will not be coming to virgin media as it finish on the 12th april for all london dtt viewers as with
ch4 HD

the only one that i know might be coming soon is discovery HD

SOSAGES · 12-03-2007, 15:16

id like every channel in widescreen and HD in the next 3 years please.

someone make it so!