BBC begins rollout of BBC One regions in HD

By Neil Wilkes, Editor-in-chief | 19 October 2021

The BBC begins rollout of the English regions of BBC One in HD, starting with the launch of streams on connected TVs and Sky Glass.

The BBC has confirmed that it has begun the process of launching HD versions of BBC One across the English regions.

Viewers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have been able to watch their national version of BBC One in HD quality for around a decade, but the English regions have been served by a single national HD feed of BBC One which reverts to a holding screen during regional broadcasts.

Earlier this year the BBC outlined its intent to launch HD versions of every English region by the end of 2022 and has kickstarted the process today by launching the new HD streams on connected TVs and the new Sky Glass product.

"Significant infrastructure changes are required to make this happen - meaning some platforms will take longer than others and a phased approached to the rollout," said Kieran Clifton, the BBC's director of distribution.

The HD streams will launch via iPlayer in the next few months, with launches on other platforms - including satellite, cable and terrestrial - following before the end of next year.

The BBC has also confirmed that BBC Parliament, BBC Alba and BBC Two Northern Ireland will launch in HD as part of the same process.

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