BBC HD to hit Freeview

The BBC trust announced yesterday that they have given the backing for a fully established BBC High Definition Channel . The channel is currently trialing on Sky HD and over Cable. The schedule will be drawn from the full spectrum of BBC channels and will not simply be a High Definition version of BBC 1. A spokeperson said yesterday the a 4 hour service could be launched ‘almost immediately’, but the feeling in the trust is that the public must be consulted first because a 9 hour service will follow but this will almost certainly mean that us ‘the public’ will have to buy a new set top box to receive it. Further discussion will be undertaken regarding the delivery a full schedule on Freeview early next year. Meanwhile the service will be assessed during a public consultation period, which will run until October 23.