NEWS: Channel 4 going HD
Channel 4 is set to become the first terrestrial broadcaster to offer a high-definition simulcast of its main channel on Sky HD.
From December, Channel 4 HD will be available free to Sky HD subscribers, promising a wide range of programming in high-def, including many US imports that have long been available in HD Stateside, from My Name is Earl to Smallville, Desperate Housewives to Ugly Betty. 
Rod Henwood, New Media Director, Channel 4, says: "Channel 4’s aim is to offer our viewers maximum flexibility in accessing our high quality programmes and content at a time and in the format of their choosing. HD is a fast growing consumer technology and we believe our viewers will welcome the opportunity to watch their favourite Channel 4 shows in high definition.” 
With the addition of Channel 4 HD, the Sky HD line-up will feature 12 HD channels, including Sky Sports, Sky Movies, Sky One and Sky Arts, BBC HD, National Geographic, History Channel and the Discovery Channel.
- Clare Newsome's blog
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Comments
I have to say, having Sky HD, its the best PVR in the world (And I have seen what's on offer in other countries) paying for the HD service was well worth it and Channel 4 now coming on board makes it even better, guys, if you can't get free view, put your hand in your pocket and get Sky, your losing out of loads of programs in HD, you won't be disappointed. Go on, DO IT NOW !! P.S I don't work for Sky TV so don't worry.
And about time too! Now all we need is ITV to follow suit.
Agreed.
Well overdue.
We just need the other 4 channles to follow suit.
Time the BBC got their Freesat service up and running as well to take advantage.
Why exclude Virgin Cable/V+ customers?
Nice. I had been wondering the terrestrial channels could offer HD within the limited bandwidth currently available for freeview. Does providing it via Sky HD circumvent this problem?
Re no Virgin... I suspect money is the answer.
Re HD Freeview - as there's no sign of that anytime soon, this makes sense for Channel 4 to expand its audience-share (ironically, at the likely expense of Sky One HD - but then I suppose Mr Murdoch wins because of more subscriptions...)
Flower there is some problem with Freeview Bandwidth (its all to do with what the government is going to do with the bandwidth freed up by the analogue spectrum as I understand it) and thats partially the reason for the BBC launching their own high bandwidth satelite service due Jan next year - I believe and its called Freesat.
Bit confusing as Sky are using this name also but I read somewhere that the BBC own it!! Anyway until the BBC can get Freeview on satelite, there will probably be a bandwidth problem with regards to displaying HD content so thats probably the reason why Channel 4's HD service will be Sky only.
Personally I just wish the BBC would get their Freesat service up and running as I'm one of the many people who can't get Freeview and considering my area isn't due until 2012, I have a long wait. In the meantime many of the best programs are now switiching to Digital channels alone.
I also hope when BBC Freesat is eventually launched that they use efficient low loss codecs and high bandwith transmissions for HD content as anyone who reads the High Definition Forums will know that artefacts can spoil some providers transmissions stateside due to the level of compression used, which in turn kind of takes away the point in having HD.
No free to air HD in the UK then? All Aussie terrestrial channels have HD channels here - pretty much just mirroring whats on the SD channels though. They kind of rip us SD chaps off though as while the HD channels have 5.1 whilst the SD channels only get PCM or 2.0/2.1. Go figure. Hey, any chance of a good PVR review/group test any time soon? I've been waiting to buy one but the few models I've seen looked pretty average.