BBC Two HD channel goes live, replacing BBC HD

BBC Two HD

UPDATE: BBC Two HD is now live, having launched this morning at 6am. The channel has replaced the existing BBC HD channel, leaving us with BBC One HD and BBC Two HD channels.

The BBC has confirmed the BBC Two channel numbers on Freeview/YouView, Freesat, Sky, Virgin and BT Vision.

The final channel numbers are listed below:
BBC ONE HD
Freeview HD / You View 101
Sky HD 141
Virgin Media 108
Freesat HD 108
BT Vision+851

BBC TWO HD
Freeview HD / You View 102
Sky HD 142
Virgin Media 187
Freesat HD 109
BT Vision+ 852

BBC ALBA will also move to 143 on Sky so that it is grouped with other BBC channels.

Published 19.02.13
The BBC announced this morning that it will launch a dedicated BBC Two HD channel at 6am on March 26th.

BBC Two HD will replace the existing BBC HD channel (launched in 2007) and will be available subscription-free on all digital television platforms offering high-definition broadcasts. That means viewers will be able to watch BBC 2 HD on Freeview HD/YouView (102), Freesat (109), BT Vision (852), Sky HD (169) and Virgin Media (187).

The BBC Two HD channel will be a simulcast network version of the BBC Two schedule with a raft of new programmes available in HD for the frst time. These will include Paul Hollywood - Bread, The Fall, Science Britannica and Keeping Britain Alive.

Janice Hadlow, Controller of BBC Two, says: "The launch of BBC Two HD will allow us to showcase more of our programmes at their very best."

However, the switch to BBC Two HD means no more programmes from BBC3 and BBC4 will be broadcast in high definition, which will disappoint some viewers, particularly fans of European drama on BBC4. The decision was made in 2011 as part of a cost-cutting exercise at the BBC.

"We are currently evaluating options for extending our HD channel portfolio, but this is subject to financial and regulatory [BBC Trust] approval," says a BBC spokesperson. "This is in light of a number of constraints including financial and capacity limitations."

BBC One HD, launched in November 2010, will continue as a separate channel.

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Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.