HD RSVP
I'm not a keen shopper, so I'm proud to say that I haven't been in a single store for the January sales. But say that flat-screen TVs have been big sellers, and more and more people have TV sets that are labelled HD-ready. You may have spotted now have one too, though they're venturing into .
So High Definition is growing, but so far it's seized the nation's imagination a bit less than some pundits expected. The 91Èȱ¬'s first full HD broadcast was the World Cup 2006, and there's a handful of HD channels available on the Sky platform and cable. But it was interesting to see about the relatively cool response to HD there; and in the UK we're in a position where most people who have it love it - but it's some way from being a mainstream proposition.
For the 91Èȱ¬, our HD service is a trial - but we want to see what we can do and give everyone the chance to make their mind up about its value. So we're pleased to say there'll be a fair amount of Sport in HD in the coming months to enhance the events I mentioned in an earlier post.
It starts this coming weekend with , where we'll be broadcasting Liverpool v Arsenal in HD on Saturday teatime followed by Manchester United v Aston Villa on Sunday lunchtime.
Then we'll be broadcasting some of in HD - on current plans, the games at Twickenham, Murrayfield and the Millennium Stadium. (It'll take a bit longer from some other venues: we're sometimes still not offered widescreen from Europe...)
Our first in HD will be the Masters from Augusta; and then, subject to regulatory approval for the trial continuing, we'll be broadcasting in HD for the second year with coverage from Centre and Number 1 courts.
So we'd appreciate your views on what you think of HD if you have it already. We can't promise to answer technical questions here, but the 91Èȱ¬ HD website has some Q&As along with links to HD service providers such as Sky and Telewest. The 91Èȱ¬ HD service is on Channel 145 if you have Sky digital - and it's free without any further subscription.
We hope you enjoy the next phase of the trial.
