I’m starting to get excited about watching the 2008 European Championships on TV. I’m due to have an operation on my back over the summer which is going to keep me housebound, so I’ll be able to watch a lot of the games.
The focus on the impending games has made me realise that HD TV in the UK really hasn’t moved on very much since 2006, when the BBC and ITV launched the first HD broadcasts on Telewest just in time for the 2006 World Cup. Two years later, BBC HD is the only HD channel that Virgin Media now carry and only Sky is carrying the HD baton in the UK. Only if you buy an expensive set-top box and pay an extra monthly subscription though.
I think this is really pitiful and hopefully freesat, a joint venture between the BBC and ITV, will finally bring HD to the masses in the ‘Spring’. Programming will be free and all that will be needed is a one-off digital payment for the digital box, satellite dish and installation. I haven’t seen any marketing yet for freesat, so I’m guessing that if the launch is still happening it’s going to be very low key.
Unfortunately I’m not able to install a satellite dish at my new place, so I really hope either virgin media or the BBC sort out Freeview HD by 2012 as I’m not prepared to go without HD for another 4 years. Plus, I want to be able to watch all the re-runs of my ‘little’ cousin jumping for gold in glorious HD!
