ITV1 HD to launch this Spring

ITV is to launch a high definition satellite channel in spring 2008.
Programming will include sport and drama with the initial service running for two hours at peak time and later increasing to three.
The broadcaster previously ran a trial HD service on the Telewest cable platform. The launch will coincide with that of Freesat and ITV is reported to have invested a total of £10 million in both ventures.

Freeview viewers, will probably not be able to view the HD version of ITV1, there is very limited capacity on the digital terrestrial network. HD transmissions would also use MPEG4, current receivers can only receive MPEG2 transmissions.