The four new HD channels are certainly a good start. Maybe not the channels I would have chosen, but I'm pleased none the less. The move certainly gives me hope that VM are taking HD seriously at last and hopefully this is the start of things to come. If History and Eurosport do materialise along with UKTV Food HD(!) then there should be something for everyone on the HD front. Fingers crossed ESPN HD will be snapped up as part of the negotiations for the new channel too.
Nat Geo, History and FX were previously deemed unlikely due to their tie ups with Sky/News Corp, but these obstacales are now being overcome. It would seem that Discovery HD would be a realistic addition now too.
With Freeview HD set for a December launch in initial regions, I believe they'll be full time ITV HD and Five HD channels available. Surely these will be realistic targets along with CH4 HD at this point. I'm sure I've read that VM are set to switch off the analogue service in October, so hopefully bandwidth will not be an issue after this. So is it now realistic to expect a decent amount of HD channels by early next year, or am I living in cloud cookoo land?
