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ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ launches UK's first free high definition broadcasts
The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ will give the UK's first high definition viewers a curtain-raising treat of the whole of Planet Earth part one, followed by classic Dickens drama Bleak House over Whitsun Bank Holiday - 27 to 29 May 2006.
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The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ starts the UK's first free-to-air high definition (HD) consumer broadcasts this week, at the start of a 12 month trial of this new sharper, clearer TV format.
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Meanwhile research disclosed by the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ today suggests that an overwhelming majority of people who know about HD expect the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ to broadcast in HD, and to do so free to air, funded by the licence fee.
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They also expect high definition broadcasting to be available on all platforms including Freeview.
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The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s HD stream starts broadcasting on 11 May with a promotional preview.
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The broadcasts will initially be available to viewers on satellite who have the right HD equipment.
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Sky has announced it will start installing HD set top boxes from 22 May.
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The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ can confirm its HD stream will also be carried in some cable areas in time for the World Cup, following a successful carriage agreement with NTL Telewest.
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Starting on 9 June, the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s World Cup coverage will be simulcast in HD, as will major Wimbledon matches.
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From July onwards the stream will show ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ highlights in drama, documentaries, events and music for a few hours each day.
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ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ Director of Television Jana Bennett said: "These are small but exciting first steps in the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s ambition to offer the option of high definition to all in the future.
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"It's clear that licence fee payers expect high definition broadcasts from the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½, the same way they have moved to colour television, widescreen, digital radio and online services with us in the past."
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High definition is a new digital format which provides sharper, clearer pictures and the potential for surround sound.
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It needs different technology from 'standard definition television' at every link in the chain, from the way programmes are shot and broadcast to the equipment in viewers' homes.
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The ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ is conducting an end-to-end trial of HD broadcasting over the next 12 months as a test of the technology and trial of the audience appetite for the format.
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The findings will inform any ongoing offer.
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ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ HD broadcasting will start officially at noon on Thursday 11 May 2006 when the offer appears for the first time to viewers on the Sky electronic programme guide.
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First broadcasts will be a preview of upcoming programmes in high definition.
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The first true high definition programming will start on the Whitsun Bank Holiday weekend.
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All five opening films of Planet Earth part one will be shown from 7.00pm on Saturday 27 May.
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The 16 half-hour episodes of Bleak House will screen from 8.00pm to midnight on Sunday 28 May and Monday 29 May.
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Survey
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GfK NOP conducted an online survey for the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ of a representative sample of about 1,500 respondents.
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They were asked what they knew and thought about high definition television.
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 73% of the sample had heard about high definition television. The figure was much higher for men (83%) than women (62%) and digital homes (77%) rather than analogue homes (62%).
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Of those that were aware of high definition:
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87% said they expected the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½ to broadcast in high definition in future;
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93% expected those broadcasts to be free to air;
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95% expected high definition broadcasts to be available on all platforms - satellite, cable and Freeview;
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88% disagreed that high definition viewers should pay a higher Licence Fee.
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For information on how to get high definition and the ÃÛÑ¿´«Ã½'s trial:
bbc.co.uk/hd.
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JB3
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