BBC English regions in HD – Not before 2017

The BBC’s Kieran Clifton, head of BBC Distribution and Business Development, has confirmed an agreement with the BBC Trust concerning the “introduction of BBC One English regional versions and BBC Two national versions in HD will be proposed as part of our distribution plans for the next Charter period.”
Once finding has been secured, roll-out of the HD variants would take 12-24 months. The BBC had indicated last year that BBC Two Wales HD would not launch until 2018.

In the meantime, the BBC is committed to continuing all existing regions in standard definition, with what Mr Clifton calls the “less than ideal” signposting to regional content during regional news on BBC One HD for viewers in England.

The BBC’s current Charter, under which it operates, runs out at the end of next year. The level of funding from the beginning of 2017 will determine how fast it can move to an all HD environment.