[RichardCoulter]

I think the problem with Eden is it's relatively low viewing figures.

There has been speculation for some time that Eden & Good Food would be the next (last?) UKTV channels to go FTA. Perhaps it's viewing figures are too low for either Sky or UKTV to maintain an HD variant, but the SD variant might be cost effective using a FTA business model with the increased advertising reach??

There is no benefit to broadcasters in providing HD channels as they cost more to broadcast without any extra advertising income (unless companies like VM & Sky subsidise them).

As Sky & VM no longer appear to be creating/subsidising HD channels for the sake of it, I think that the less popular channels will only become HD due to 'keeping up with the neighbours' (eg the PSB channels) or when SD kit becomes obsolete.

If Sky have decided that certain HD channels aren't driving up or maintaining subscriptions, then it looks like funding is being withdrawn as part of their cost cutting measures because of the cost of the football rights and stagnation of their subscriber base.

Any old GOLD programming recorded on film will benefit from HD, but not stuff recorded on video. Less old material may well have been recorded in HD anyway.