BBC plans HDTV on as many platforms as possible: The BBC Trust is inviting feedback on plans by the corporation for a permanent free-to-view high-definition television channel. The BBC hopes to launch a permanent service on satellite, cable and where possible on terrestrial and broadband platforms. However, shortage of capacity on Freeview could disappoint consumers.
A BBC HD trial channel is currently available on satellite and cable and through a limited closed trial on terrestrial television in the London area.
The BBC is proposing to launch a permanent high-definition channel service in the next year, to be distributed on as many platforms as feasible. The single high-definition channel will be available on satellite, cable and broadband.
It will ramp up to nine hours a day from 3pm to midnight from the end of 2008. This could be extended to cover sport, music and significant national events. Due to current capacity limitations on digital terrestrial television, it will initially only be available for four hours overnight. The BBC says this will be extended if additional spectrum is secured as analogue television services are switched off.
Reception on digital terrestrial television will require new MPEG-4 receivers with digital video recorders. Manufacturers with boxes under development include ADB and Netgem and it is hoped that the availability of a high-definition service, albeit initially limited, will provide an incentive to other manufacturers.
The BBC says that while compression technology evolves, it might be necessary to use up to 15Mbps to carry a single 1080 line high-definition channel. On digital terrestrial television it could make capacity available on one 24Mbps multiplex by replacing BBC Four, BBC Parliament, two interactive streams and the looping news service overnight. As compression technology improves, it says it should be possible to carry the channel in 12Mbps by 2012.
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