Channel 4 HD launches on Sky today
Monday, December 10th, 2007High-Definition Hollyoaks for satellite punters
Channel 4 HD makes its digital debut on Sky HD today. The channel is essentially a high-def simulcast of Channel 4 itself, and will feature the same programmes, with the majority of the content currently being shown in standard SD, broadcasting content in HD if it has been filmed using HD equipment.
The HD line-up will mostly be composed of US imports to begin with, with more and more homegrown HD content gradually becoming available. Having said that, long standing teen soap Hollyoaks and Bristol-based sixth-form shagathon Skins will be rubbing shoulders with American names such as Ugly Betty, Desperate Housewives, My Name is Earl and Smallville.
Speaking about the announcement Rod Henwood, C4’s New Media Director, said “Channel 4’s aim is to offer our viewers maximum flexibility in accessing our high quality programmes and content at a time and in the format of their choosing. HD is a fast growing consumer technology and we believe our viewers will welcome the opportunity to watch their favourite Channel 4 shows in high definition.”
Sky introduced HD to British screens back in May 2006, and has bee taken up by over 300,000 subscribers. Channel 4’s HD entry to the market now bolsters Sky’s HD retinue, which now features 12 HD channels including Sky One, Sky Sports, Sky Movies, Sky Arts, along with BBC HD, National Geographic, History Channel and the Discovery Channel.
Channel 4 HD will undoubtedly make its way onto other platforms in the future – with regards to Virgin, this will be a question of money and with regards to Freeview this will be a question of bandwidth – a rise in HD take-up in the near future will undoubtedly correlate with analogue signal shutdown.
