MUMBAI: BBC One HD will launch on 3 November across all HD platforms: Freesat channel 108, Freeview channel 50, Sky channel 143 and Virgin Media channel 108.
The new high definition (HD) channel kicks off with a series of programmes made in HD: The One Show, followed by Wallace And Gromit‘s World Of Invention, the new series from Aardman Animations, as well as some food for thought with Nigel Slater‘s Simple Suppers and Jimmy‘s Food Factory.
The Apprentice and Film 2010 will also show in HD that evening.
It is also announced that the BBC‘s continuing drama EastEnders will broadcast in HD for the first time on 25 December.
EastEnders follows Holby City, which made the move to HD on 18 October. It will be shown on the BBC‘s existing HD channel, until BBC One HD launches in November.
The new HD channel will simulcast a network version of the BBC One schedule, with the majority of peaktime programmes in HD, including The Apprentice, Strictly Come Dancing, Children In Need, Antiques Roadshow, Countryfile, The Graham Norton Show and The Royal Variety Show.
BBC Vision director Jana Bennett said, "Whether it is seeing the flicker of irritation on Lord Sugar‘s face in a boardroom showdown or watching the beads of sweat fly from the dancers on Strictly, BBC One HD is the biggest sign yet that HD viewing is now part of the mainstream."
BBC head of HD and 3D Danielle Nagler says, "It‘s incredibly exciting to begin the official count down to the launch of the new channel and we‘re delighted to be launching with BBC One‘s popular flagship programe, The One Show. "The arrival of the UK‘s favourite channel in HD – as a second HD channel from the BBC – will increase the range and choice of HD programming we can offer the ever-growing HD audience. The existing BBC HD channel has been hugely successful. It will continue to show programmes from across all BBC channels, to allow all HD viewers to find programming they can enjoy. And it will now have space to accommodate more hours of new HD programmes from the BBC."
Those shows which aren‘t made in HD – including EastEnders until Christmas Day – will still be on BBC One HD but will be upscaled.
The BBC HD Channel will continue to bring programming such as Top Gear, Wimbledon, children‘s programming, golf coverage, great drama, comedy, music and factual programmes from BBC Two, BBC Three and BBC Four throughout the week.
The launch is the first stage in delivering BBC One in HD. The majority of programmes in the BBC One network evening schedule will be available in HD at launch and, by 2012, it is expected that the vast majority of all BBC One titles across all hours will be in HD.
In time, the channel will evolve to bring all programmes, news and current affairs to viewers in the nations and regions.
