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BBC breaks down the new DRM rules for Blu-ray recorders

by Richard Lawler posted Apr 17th 2009 at 4:01PM


The reason Blu-ray recorders have migrated from Japan to the UK recently -- and why you'll likely never see them in the U.S. -- is all about the copyright holders. Danielle Nagler, head of BBC HD, hit the blogs to break down the wheres and hows of the DRM changes associated with bringing FreeSat disc HD DVRs like the Panasonic DMR-BS850 and Humax FOXSAT-HDR to market, basically meaning users are allowed one HD copy of a show, which can be played back on protected devices and connections only (transfer to portable players is planned to the future.) Follow the flow chart for the details, and figure out if it'd be worth it to make your own BD-R DVR backups so easily.

[Via Pocket-Lint]

Four BBC channels launch in Sweden, including one in HD

by Darren Murph posted Dec 3rd 2008 at 5:38PM

As Auntie Beeb forges ahead in her quest to conquer global markets, we've now found that four new BBC networks will be made available in Sweden. Starting this week, Swedes will be able to tune into BBC Entertainment, BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle, as well as a HD channel, as the stations have been signed on to operators Canal Digital, Com Hem, Telia and Tele2. If you can only get one HD channel to start your month, a high-def BBC ain't a bad one to get.

BBC HD queues up more high-def content for the holidays

by Darren Murph posted Dec 1st 2008 at 8:38PM

'Tis the season for giving / sharing, so we're glad to see Auntie Beeb in the festive spirit. Reportedly, BBC HD will be bestowing upon its viewers a whole slew of high-def content for the holiday season, including Shrek The Halls, Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest and The Chronicles Of Narnia – The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe. Onlookers will also be treated to the long-awaited three-part horror story There Was a Crooked House and The 39 Steps, not to mention a handful of other movies you've certainly been waiting eons to see on broadcast TV. Way to step up the game, BBC -- now, how's about everyone else take a note and follow suit?

BBC HD making Scandinavia debut on Canal Digital this December

by Darren Murph posted Oct 5th 2008 at 8:05PM

BBC HD is taking one more step on its road to world domination by making its debut in continental Europe later this year. The channel is set to launch on Nordic pay-TV platform Canal Digital this December in Scandinavia, and it'll be landing alongside the SD stations BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle and BBC Entertainment. There's no word yet on whether there will be an additional fee for access to the channel, but believe us when we say it'll be worth it even if so.

[Thanks, Mats]

New head of BBC HD aims to get serious about high-def programming

by Darren Murph posted Jul 20th 2008 at 8:46PM


Those feeling a little let down by what BBC HD offers have renewed hope for the future, as Seetha Kumar has "been replaced as the head of BBC HD by Danielle Nagler, who most recently worked as head of the director general's office." Reportedly, the new boss' main priorities are to "focus on growing the channel by driving consumer take-up, working with in-house and independent producers to increase HD programming, and leading preparations for BBC HD's launch on Freeview." Better still, Nagler understands that the potential for high-def uptake in the UK and elsewhere is huge, and he's hoping to make BBC HD "a mainstream choice" for its audiences. From here, we're hoping that a big push in high-definition from Auntie Beeb will encourage other channels to make the requisite investments and follow suit. After all, you can expect consumers to shell out for HD content when there isn't any to buy.

Top Gear HD, NBC editions stuck in park

by Richard Lawler posted May 15th 2008 at 9:51PM

Remember how excited we were to hear that the next season of Top Gear might be delivered from across the pond in HD glory, and that NBC was considering producing an American edition? How we danced in the streets, partook of libations, and slaughtered the fatted calf? Scratch all that, as it appears neither is coming to fruition, at least anytime soon. Autoblog has word that NBC couldn't find a cast for Top Gear (although they've had no problem scratching together a group for that abomination of a Knight Rider remake), while the BBC edition is without a debut date for a new (& shortened) season, and has only word of "specific production challenges" when questioned about HD. While we've been blessed with a bevy of horsepower in HD this year, it's just not the same without Jeremy, Richard and The Stig.

Read - We've been lied to: New episodes of Top Gear actually not coming June 15
Read - NBC passes on U.S. Top Gear for now

BBC HD heads to Taiwan on Chunghwa Telecom

by Darren Murph posted Apr 5th 2008 at 11:21PM

BBC HD is about to head east -- way east. This month, the channel will make its Taiwanese debut via an SVOD (subscription video-on-demand) service on Chunghwa Telecom. Viewers who tune in will reportedly be able to select from "ten three-hour multiple genre blocks of programs at any one time," which will feature "drama, comedy, documentary, natural history, music and arts programming." Of note, the channel will be shown in English with traditional Chinese subtitles added on, but there will be "program promos and navigational menus in traditional Chinese."

[Via Variety]

BBC officially launches HD channel

by Darren Murph posted Dec 2nd 2007 at 12:42PM

The writing has certainly been on the wall, particularly of late, but the long-awaited dedicated BBC HD has finally launched on cable and satellite. This means that viewers will be able to see programs such as Strictly Come Dancing and Cranford in high-definition, and moreover, the Queen's Christmas message will also be broadcast in HD for the first time this year. As we'd heard, Freeview audiences will still have to wait, but those tuning in via cable / satellite can catch HD programming for nine hours per day that will showcase content from all of the BBC's stations. Notably, Kill Bill and Sin City are also on the list to be shown in HD later this month, which should certainly inject a healthy dose of holiday cheer (or violent tendencies) into your soul. So, for those of you in Britain, how's the new station?

[Via HDTV Reviews]

BBC Trust approves mixed-genre HD channel

by Darren Murph posted Nov 19th 2007 at 5:34PM

Just a month after we heard that the BBC was mulling the decision to add a dedicated HD channel comes word that the BBC Trust has given the all-important thumbs-up to the idea. Reportedly, the "mixed genre" channel will show programs from across all of the BBC's stations and will air on cable / satellite "as soon as possible." Additionally, the channel should launch on Freesat just as soon as that goes live, but proposals for viewing it via Freeview were put on hold "because viewers might have been required to buy two new set-top boxes to receive the channel." So, for all you Brits out there, let us know how splendid the channel is when it becomes available -- hopefully your patience will pay off.

[Via Guardian]

BBC still deciding if they need a dedicated HD station

by Matt Burns posted Oct 19th 2007 at 8:53AM


The BBC have been testing a dedicated high-def station, which should end in November '07, to determine if they need a dedication high-def station -- hellz yeah, they do. BBC HD seems to have a mash-up lineup similar to Discovery HD Theater with shows from other BBC channels all merged into one dedicated mega-channel. Currently, BBC is taking 50% of their content from BBC One, 30% from BBC Two and the other 20% is coming from BBC's other digital channels making up the high definition station that will launch in 2012. The programming seems to be there and we sure know people want HDTV, so why the wait for the British digital switch-over in 2012? It doesn't sound like BBC HD needs more testing, cut through the red tape and just launch the channel to high-def starved Brits already.




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