BBC's new subscription-free HD channels go live

[dutchman]

Four new BBC HD channels have gone live this evening (December 10).



The corporation announced yesterday that the subscription-free channels would be made available this week.

BBC Three HD, BBC Four HD, CBeebies HD and CBBC HD are now available on Freeview HD, Freesat HD, YouView, Sky HD and Virgin Media.

Channel numbers for the new stations are as follows: CBeebies HD on 74, CBBC HD on 73, BBC Three HD on 105, and BBC Four HD on 106.

BBC News HD will not be launched until January next year, to prevent problems that could occur as a result of the changeover, with the potential for temporary loss of content.

When it goes live, BBC News HD will be found on 107.

BBC One and BBC Two already had HD channels, bringing the total number offered by the BBC to seven.

Director-general Tony Hall said yesterday: "I am delighted that we're able to launch our new HD channels in time for Christmas, when families gather together to enjoy some of the best TV from the BBC.

"This year, people will be able to watch even more of our programmes in brilliant quality."

Viewers will also be able to catch up on HD content from the new channels via the BBC iPlayer on-demand service.

All five new HD channels will broadcast the same programmes as their standard definition equivalents in a higher resolution.