BBC Trust approves Mixed-Genre HD Channel

12.05.2007

The BBC's proposals for a mixed-genre high definition television channel, BBC HD, have been approved by its governing body, the BBC Trust.

The approval of the BBC's HD channel follows the Trust's decision in April this year to approve Freesat, a joint venture between the BBC and ITV which will provide a free standard- and high-definition-enabled digital satellite platform some time in spring 2008.

The launch of the BBC's new HD channel on digital terrestrial television 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.

Mark Thompson, BBC director-general, said: "We are delighted that the BBC Trust has approved the BBC Executive's high definition television proposals, allowing us to launch the U.K.'s first free-to-air, mixed-genre public service HDTV channel".

Jana Bennett, 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 programmes from across its channel portfolio in true, native, high definition".