UPDATE: ITV3 and ITV4 launch in HD on Sky
Updated 15.11.10
Sky has boosted its HD channel line-up to 54 channels with the addition of ITV3 and ITV4 in high definition.
The two channels launched at 5pm today, with ITV3 HD on channel 226 and ITV4 HD on channel 227.
The amount of HD content looks a little thin on the ground at launch but live HD sport – football and darts – HD films and spin-off programmes – such as Xtra Factor – from ITV's main channel are in the pipeline.
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Updated 07.10.10
ITV2 HD will launch on Sky+ HD from today, October 7th. Additional ITV channels, 3 and 4, will follow in high definition later this year.
ITV says it is in talks with other providers, including Virgin Media, about taking the additiional ITV HD channels, but the deal is exclusive to Sky among satellite platforms.
ITV1 HD is already available on Freesat, Freeview, Sky and Virgin Media.
The initial schedule for ITV2 HD is as follows:
Thursday 7th October
20.00 The Vampire Diaries
22.45 Coronation Street
23.20 FILM: Van Helsing (2004)
Friday 8TH October
06.00 Coronation Street
12.00 Coronation Street
17.50 The X Factor
19.45 The X Factor
21.00 FILM: The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (2006)
23.10 FILM: Out of Sight (199
01.35 Coronation Street
02.05 Coronation Street
Published 03.08.10
ITV has signed a deal to put three of its high-definition channels – ITV2, 3 and 4 – on Sky's satellite TV platform.
The move is part of ITV's five-year strategy to reduce its dependence on conventional advertising and move back into pay-TV.
ITV's HD channels will become available to Sky+ HD subscribers in the autumn, starting with ITV2 HD in October. ITV says it is in talks with other providers, including Virgin Media, but the deal is exclusive to Sky among satellite platforms.
The agreement with Sky was announced at the same time as ITV's half-yearly results. Adjusted pre-tax profits were £118m in the first half of 2010, with TV ad revenue rising by 18%. Group revenue rose marginally from £909m to £987m.
ITV chief executive Adam Crozier has also unveiled a £75m investment fund, to be spent over the next three years on "operating investments online, in content, and in our digital channels".
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Comments
Your right Murdoch and his cronies are the total pitts with double standards when running their business and when it comes to get your money back for a service they say that they cannot provide don't expect it back with out a fight and a long wait. But can provide the service later that they were unable to provide when I wanted my money back no I don't like the way he runs his business.
jazzman November 17,2010 18:20
Meh - like BBC 1 "HD" most of the content is in SD anyway, step in the right direction as you say, but why on BBC for example is the news still in SD when it's transmitted every single day, can't they afford the camera or something.
forgot to add channel 4hd +5hd no subtitles on them either
there are no subtitles on any itvhd channels useless since i depend on them
To armourtillo,
Don't the adverts pay for the programs on ITV?
ITV2 HD has been added today. Still no ITV1 HD though. Positive move in the right direction though. Hopefully soon!
Why should they be free? they are no different to any other TV channel, whats wrong with them wanting to make a profit and improve their service i think its a great move
The problem in Scotland, CAIRNEY, is that you don't have an ITV service. STV is an entirely different company, so there is no requirement for Sky to provide ITV services to Scotland.
Am i to assume that once again Sky viewers in Scotland will miss out once again? Still not able to watch ITV1HD yet! What's going on? Anyone?
disgusting and should be avoided ITV HD quality is appalling,lots of upscale and football can be V Poor, coronation street has been filmed well in HD, but there is a lack of real quality the most HD Broadcasts
What is this pathetic attitude to Rupert Murdoch - is it envy ??? TV would be very dull if it was'nt for Sky so spend some money and enjoy 'proper tv' Clive Smith
themadpanner,
Given that the move is 'part of ITV's five-year strategy to reduce its dependence on conventional advertising and move back into pay-TV', how would offering the service on a platform that doesn't involve payment help?
They don't 'own' Freesat...It was set-up and is funded in-part by ITV, but Freesat is a completetely independent non-profit organisation.
Seems like a very stupid thing for someone who owns half of FreeSat to do, but I wouldn't expect anything less given the way it's been ran so far.
Absolutely disgusting, they should go on to Freesat HD along with Ch4 HD and Film Four. Murdoch is the pitts and everything he and his organization stands for.