BBC Trust Approve Mixed-Genre HD TV Channel

The BBC's proposals for a mixed-genre high definition television channel, BBC HD, have been approved by the BBC Trust following a Public Value Test.
Mark Thompson, BBC Director-General, said: "We are delighted that the BBC Trust has approved the BBC Executive's high definition television proposals, allowing us to launch the UK's first free-to-air, mixed-genre public service HDTV channel.
"The BBC has pioneered high definition broadcasting in the UK, setting industry standards and defining the HD viewing experience for audiences.
"The Trust concluded that such a channel would create significant public value and benefit licence fee payers."
Jana Bennett, Director of BBC Vision, said: "BBC HD will be available on cable, satellite and in due course on digital terrestrial and the internet.
"It will showcase a rich mix of the BBC's programmes from across its channel portfolio in true, native, high definition.
"HD is the next generation of television, offering the richest, most intense viewing experience imaginable.
"Audiences can look forward to the likes of Earth - Power Of The Planet, Cranford, Torchwood, Hammonds Heroes, Diary Of Anne Frank, Around The World In 80 Gardens and Live At The Apollo in extraordinary sound and vision.
"BBC HD will embody the range, variety and ambition of our public service broadcasting, which is what audiences value."
Seetha Kumar, Head of BBC HD, said: "The BBC is recognised as setting the benchmark for quality and the HD trials have had a terrific response from audiences who appreciate this quality.
"We're looking forward to working with an even wider network of programme makers and industry partners to raise awareness of the benefits of HD to audiences."
The approval of the BBC's HD channel follows the Trust's decision in April this year to approve Freesat, a joint venture between the BBC and ITV which will provide a free standard and high definition-enabled digital satellite platform, with launch anticipated for spring 2008.
BBC HD will be part of the channel line-up.
The launch of the BBC's new HD channel on Digital Terrestrial Television(including Freeview) is subject to a review by the BBC Trust in 2008 when there should be greater clarity on HD broadcast standards and spectrum capacity available for the channel.
(DS)