NEWS: ITV HD goes live on Freesat in time for Euro 2008
ITV has just announced that its HD service will go live on Saturday, just in time for the Euro 2008 football.
The service, which the company says "will initially be available to viewers watching on Freesat", will be accessible as a simulcast via the red button, with on-screen prompts directing viewers with Freesat HD boxes that high definition programming is available.
In addition to live coverage of the European Championships, ITV’s HD coverage over the summer will also include a range of movies, with ITV saying its "coverage through 2008 will encompass an unrivalled range of free-to-air premium football including the new season of UEFA Champions League, The FA Cup, and England internationals – followed later by selected ITV dramas and acquired programming."
Coverage of Euro 2008 begins on Saturday with live coverage of Portugal v Turkey from 7.15pm on ITV1.
- Andrew Everard's blog
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Comments
...Just after Switzerland v Czech Republic on BBC HD
will itv hd be on sky?
I'd love to know how many people will actually be in a position to watch any of ITV's HD broadcasts. I won't !
magicshaunson,
Not initially, no - only on Freesat. But I know Clare has a meeting with Sky tomorrow, and I am sure it's a question she'll be asking. Whether she'll get a straight answer is another matter.
Shaun666,
A point our man from itv.com made in the forums earlier on.
what man?
Role on PVR Freesat with series linking and high definition viewing. Bye Bye Sky+, Hello Freesat HD!!
You there that man there.
Can you get Clare to ask the man from Sky why I have to pay £250 to upgrade my girlfriends Sky+ to HD, yet I have a friends and family code for new customers that would let me have the box and installation for 100 quid. Not mentioning that all channels are half price for the first year also with this package.
Talk about looking after your customer base....
I don't think Clare is going there to ask about specific cases.
And such differences are a bit like magazines offering 3 for £1 introductory offers and not offering existing subscribers the chance to get a year's worth of magazines for £4 - it's designed to bring in new customers.
Ah that man. You confused me by saying the man from itv.com, which I have nothing to do with
Ah, right...
I was only joking Andrew, just needed to vent my spleen after some long and protracted calls to Sky yesterday...
So, if in the dark and distant future I get a fewwsat box that I'll have to endure Ant and Dec in High Def?
Thats a horrible thought!
But think of what you could do with £50 worth of Marks and Spencers vouchers Andy.
It's a different deal tvmog.
My mate works for Sky, and has sent me a voucher that entitles any new customers to a Sky HD box for 100 quid, plus the all channels for half price for the first 12 months.
Although I understand that it's all for grabbing new customers, you'd think they would make some sort of offer to customers who have been with Sky for a good few years.
I might try phone them up again and threaten to switch to Virgin
Indeed a slightly different deal. Having recently upgradedmy long standing subsciption to Sky HD paying £250 for the box and £60 for a new dish installation, I received a voucher that entitles new customers to purchase the HD box for £99 and £30 installation, although no reduction on the channel costs. My fee for acting as a Sky salesman would be £50 worth of Luncheon Vouchers, as sandwiches are the only thing I ever buy from M and S. (Do Luncheon Vouchers still exist - or am I showing my age?)
There seems to be plenty of confusion regarding Sky's deals at the best of times. My girlfriend is in the process of getting Sky through the 'recommend a friend' deal and she tends to get a different answer on what deals are available every time she rings up...
Any idea if itv hd will be on virgin cable V+ service?