CBC Television will launch CBC HD, the network's high definition television service, broadcasting on two new digital transmitters in Toronto and Montreal with CBC HD's first HD broadcast on Saturday, March 5.
Highlights of CBC HD's inaugural weekend schedule on March 5 and 6 include a premiere of the "Nature of Things: Nature Bites Back--The Case of the Sea Otter." Following this, CBC HD will broadcast highlights from past and upcoming HD projects, including award-winning documentary producer Mark Starowicz's newest project, "Hockey: A People's History," currently in production. Airing on Sunday, March 6, will be the HD version of "Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets", featuring 5.1 Surround Sound.
Programming for CBC HD will be based on CBC's regular network schedule, with HD and wide-screen programming simulcast when available. A number of programs and specials, including "The Newsroom," "Nature of Things: Geologic Journey," and "Getting Along Famously" will air in high definition as available.
Within the greater Toronto and Montreal areas, viewers can receive the new service free over the air using a UHF antenna and an HD-capable TV set with a digital ATSC tuner. The over-the-air channel in both cities is 20.
CBC has negotiated cable HD carriage agreements with Rogers, Cogeco Ontario, Aurora, and Videotron. Further agreements are expected.
