When will BBC Regional Shows be in HD?

A question from Alan Cathcart about BBC’s regional programming:

“When will the BBC regional programmes go HD?”

BBC Regional HD?

Currently, the BBC One HD and BBC Two HD channels only show UK-wide HD content, meaning that viewers watching the BBC in HD don’t get to see local regional news, weather, and other programming. It appears that the reasons for this are related to the available bandwidth, and also cost reasons. The BBC’s site states the following:

“HD programmes shown on BBC One Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland will be available on BBC HD. And all programming for different parts of the UK continues to be available on BBC One in standard definition.

Over time we hope to be able to deliver all the versions of BBC One that exist in standard definition in HD.”

Why does it matter?

More and more of us are now watching TV in HD, and by default, we’ll miss local and regional programming, unless we remember to switch back to Standard Definition.

There was some concern over this in Wales in the run-up to a referendum in 2011, where there were concerns that HD viewers would not be able to listen to both sides of debate in the run-up to the vote.

Additionally, as license payers, we’re paying for local programming that by default, those of us with HD don’t get to see.

The answer?

The BBC “hopes” to be able to deliver regional programming in HD, but hasn’t given any timeframe, and there are some technical hurdles to overcome.

All we can really suggest is that you contact the BBC to express your frustration. Go to www.bbc.co.uk/complaints

This entry was posted in HD.

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