BBC Trust Approves BBC HD

LONDON, November 19:
Following a Public Value Test, the BBC Trust has given its approval to the
BBC’s proposal for the U.K.’s first free-to-air, mixed-genre high-definition
television channel, BBC HD.

BBC HD will launch on
digital terrestrial television, including Freeview, and will be subject to a review
by the BBC Trust in 2008. The approval of the channel follows the Trust’s
endorsement in April of Freesat, a joint venture between the BBC and ITV, which
provides a free standard and high-definition-enabled digital satellite
platform. Freesat is slated for launch in spring 2008. BBC HD will be included
in the channel line-up.

Jana Bennett, the
director of BBC Vision, said: "BBC HD will be available on cable,
satellite and—in due course—on digital terrestrial and the
Internet. It will showcase a rich mix of the BBC's programs from across its
channel portfolio in true, native, high definition. HD is the next generation
of television, offering the richest, most intense viewing experience
imaginable.”

She continued:
“Audiences can look forward to the likes of Earth – Power Of The
Planet, Cranford, Torchwood, Hammonds Heroes, Diary
Of Anne Frank,
Around The World
In 80 Gardens and Live At The
Apollo in extraordinary sound
and vision. BBC HD will embody the range, variety and ambition of our public
service broadcasting, which is what audiences value."

The launch of the BBC's
new HD channel on digital terrestrial television, including Freeview, is
subject to a review by the BBC Trust in 2008, when there should be greater
clarity on HD broadcast standards and spectrum capacity available for the
channel.

—By Kristin
Brzoznowski