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Sky outlines plans for UK's first HD news channel

by Parm Mann on 11 June 2009, 10:08

Tags: Sky+HD

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Broadcaster BSkyB has announced plans to launch a dedicated HD news channel in Spring 2010. The channel, named Sky News HD, will be simulcast alongside Sky's standard-def news channel and promises breaking coverage with "stunning picture quality".

BSkyB's Sky+HD remains a driving force in the take up of HD programming in the UK, with an estimated 1.02m subscribers said to be utilising its HD service in March 2009. Hoping to maintain its leading position in HD programming, Sky News HD looks set to become the UK's first high-definition news channel.

In order to facilitate its new channel, Sky's in the progress of upgrading its news studios and production facilities, as well as training production teams to get the most from HD technology.

Commenting on the announcement, head of Sky News John Ryley had this to say:

"Sky News HD marks another landmark for a news organisation, now in its 21st year of broadcasting. It’s an investment in the future of news, for the audiences of today and tomorrow. It is a vision that clearly defines Sky's strengths, passion and restless pursuit to be first and to be the best.

As well as enhanced studio presentation and compelling on-air graphics, news is also about the drama of human emotion: from keynote speeches and police news conferences to picket lines and joyful crowds at ceremonial events, HD is an opportunity to bring our viewers much closer to events, building on one of Sky News’ existing strengths, and we’re delighted that we can now announce we will be working toward launching this exciting new service next year."



HEXUS Forums :: 12 Comments

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It's a real shame SkyNews is going to be the first, they probably have the least deserving content for HD.

At least with BBC, CNN, Euronews or France 24 they have programs and features withing their broadcast that would benefit from the higher picture quality. SkyNews is just rolling headlines.

Even Bloomberg would benefit as all their tickertapes would be clearer.
I still don't like SKY's HD stratergy, the way you have to change chanel from 106 for sky one. Its bloody anoying to be stuck at the other end of the channel spectrum.

Then there is the pricing plan, it seams quite expensive for only 720p.
The new EPG was the first step in sorting the channel numbering out…I guess once it's on all boxes the channel numbers will get re-ordered.

As for the price £10 extra per month for the most extensive HD channel selection around? Seems reasonable for a premium product IMO.

AS for Sky News HD, meh. Probably the least exciting channel they could have given the HD treatment to but then again they really haven't got many left to do.
The new EPG is crap thou.

Say you've been paging down movies, but there is nothing on so you want to go back to entertainment, you have to page up to go back to the catagory banner. You can't press back up or anything.
TheAnimus
The new EPG is crap thou.

Say you've been paging down movies, but there is nothing on so you want to go back to entertainment, you have to page up to go back to the catagory banner. You can't press back up or anything.
It might be crap, but it is still a hundred times better than the regular EPG.

I used it recently and after the comments about it (mainly from you ;)) I was actually quite impressed. Not nearly as bad as I was expecting.