BBC HD: Hello TV blog, goodbye BBC Internet blog

Quote :-

'You remind me frequently of the importance - and quite understandable frustrations - around scheduling, sign-posting HD content, and the choices we continue to make about the programmes that will and will not be in HD.'

Not a mention of the far, far greater number of 'reminders' and 'frustrations' about posting on the reduced picture quality that the vast majority of poster have noticed and complained about on BBC HD.

'I've continued to try to address these questions alongside those about the ways we use HD broadcast technology within this blog because I know that an interested community has assembled here.'

Where did you try to address these matters? For over 6 weeks you disappeared as the BBC HD blog was littered with 'questions' 'frustrations' and above all complaints about the reduced picture quality that happenned at the same time as the new codecs and massive bit-rate cut was made.

I suppose posting on a different 'TV Blog' will mean that you will say discussions about HD picture quality is Off-Topic!

'A BBC Television blog is now up and running and feels like a natural home for my postings'

Well no actually - as Head of BBC HD I would have thought a Blog with the letters 'HD' in the title would be a more natural home for your postings.

Never mind I'm sure many of us here will still try to fight for a return of 'stunning TV' on our BBC HD.

Cheers, daveac

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

"A BBC Television blog is now up and running and feels like a natural home for my postings."

Does this mean that Nick R will no longer be the default Host of your blogs then?

Here we go again Nick with your over the top hosting - it was tongue in cheek humour - typed with a wry smile - remember humour?

Dear Danielle

Apologies that my last comment was removed - apparently a sense of humour isn't appreciated - which is shame.

However I just wanted to say how nice it was to hear from you again, I hope your new online home will be a pleasant experience.

Of course all us HD followers look forward to the increased sports coverage over the coming months in stunning High Definition.

I have to say the channel is going from strength to strength not only in the diversity of the programming but also the quality of picture which can only be described as stunning on my 19 inch HD Ready TV (via scart connection).

I can't begin to explain how proud of I am of the way the BBC is leading the way in HD Broadcasting and feel the license fee I pay is worth it for the service alone.

I look forward to seeing how you continue to move the channel forward in the coming months.

"- I will continue to comment where it feels appropriate"

So, you considered it appropriate just once? That's the only time I recall you replying *within* a blog.

Condsidering all the questions that have been asked of you since you started, that's hardly "continuing", more like "when I can reply in safety".

Is the change of stance to "TV" rather than "HD" just another attempt to hide from all the awkward qustions?

Just asking...

Good idea Danielle.
It's true that it isn't quite clear what discussions about HDTV are doing under the title of "Internet Blog".

So the move to a "Television Blog" does seem more sensible.

Judging from the "about this blog" it appears to be the appropriate place to discuss BBC HD as a channel, and issues such as scheduling.

"Get the views of BBC bosses, presenters, scriptwriters and cast from the inside of the shows. Read reviews and opinions and share yours on all things TV - your favourite episodes, live programmes, digital channels, the schedule and everything else."

And it is good to see from that last point that discussions about Picture Quality of BBC HD will also be on topic.

I look forward to reminding the BBC via the television blog that HD is all about Picture Quality (and sound...) at every available opportunity.

I also look forward to reminding the BBC that at present, you don't do a very good job of it.

Will Andy Quested be making a similar move?

Can we expect to see a new blog there - as I suggested - on BBC HD Picture Quality, as a focal point for that debate?

It would be a great start for BBC HD on the television blog.

HD is the future of Television!!!! You obviously haven't noticed the degraded images that are being transmitted in the name of HD!

I will accept that 16:9 is the future of TV, but as most viewers neither have HD eyes nor good quality receivers you are kidding yourself that all the money being put into 1920x1080 production is really worthwhile.

Most of the stuff broadcast is noticeably lower quality than my domestic HD Camcorder (AVCHD 17Mbps(HA) true 1920x1080 Panasonic TM300 - unlike your seem mostly to use 1440x1080 interpolated to 1920x1080). OK you have higher production values (studio lighting, studio sound - tripods and cranes etc.), but the images are of lower quality when received and viewed.

Glad to see the key point that Jane Bennett (head of BBC Vision) is making in her announcement of BBC Television Blog

"In short what we're opening up is a two-way dialogue with you, the viewers and us, the programme makers."

I take that to mean we should be getting a lot more answers to all the questions we have been making about BBC HD Picture Quality.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

By the comment 'and Andy Quested (Head of Technology for BBC HD) will continue to publish here when there are more complex technical issues to deal with' - we take it Danielle won't make anymore hilarious gaffs where she makes statements about things she doesn't understand.

@12 Nick Reynolds wrote:

"I will of course keep across the discussions here - I will continue to comment where it feels appropriate, and Andy Quested (Head of Technology for BBC HD) will continue to publish here when there are more complex technical issues to deal with."

But why?

Surely, the reasons for Danielle blogging on the Television blog equally apply to Andy? Is Andy not discussing television then?

Is this a blatant attempt to "divide and conquer" then? By divorcing discussions about PQ from any other discussions about BBC HD?

If BBC HD is a television channel, discussed on the television blog, then it makes no sense to discussion PQ of a television channel under the topic of "internet".

I agreed with Danielle that this was a good move. Why isn't it a good move for Andy too?

Y'know, I've been wondering for a while why BBC HD was being covered under the auspices of the "BBC Internet Blog". And I guess the lack of a TV blog at the time would cover it.

HD always seemed a bit of a strange bedfellow in a blog mainly about internet matters. Except in terms of the iPlayer and, rather less likely, programming via unofficial distribution channels.

Hope the "new home" goes well.

Hi Danielle,

BBC HD did a good job with the Winter Olympics coverage of the events it showed and should be proud.
If the BBC HD site recommends buying a 5.1 system for HD then the BBC should aim to have 5.1 where it is available to be broadcast though as this was lacking despite being made available by the Olympics broadcaster.

Can you please confirm that you will show every World Cup game the BBC has in HD? Unless the BBC owns the rights to 2 games going out at the same time.
Many viewers will want to see crucial games like Brazil v Portugal in HD, it would be a disaster if viewers instead had to endure Flog it or another HD programming repeat when the BBC has the chance to show a live event in HD. The World Cup only takes place once every 4 years, which gives plenty of time to reschedule any delayed programmes.

On the subject of F1 Lee McKenzie has already stated FOM aim to have the full F1 season in HD by next year. That will mean FOM will be trialling HD from the start of this season.
Japan is already broadcast in HD so the BBC should aim to show at least this race in HD. If the FOM testing is done ahead of schedule and the BBC can bring even just the last 3 races after Japan in HD as well it would be welcomed by all BBC HD viewers who wish to see F1 in HD as soon as possible.
I hope the BBC is in at least monthly contact with other European HD and F1 rights holders with FOM directly to secure F1 in HD as soon as possible.
https://twitter.com/LeeMcKenzieF1/statuses/7483495405


Is the BBC holding talks with Australian, New Zealand and South African broadcasters over HD costs for the Autumn Internationals?

It is also very likely Moto GP will be broadcast in HD this year. As the BBC has shown Winter Olympics coverage on BBCi and BBC HD at the same time then surely if Moto GP is on BBC1,2 or BBCi it should also be shown on BBC HD? Most races occur outside of current BBC HD hours so there wouldn't be significant programming clashes.

The Winter Olympics

The Ture Facts about the Picture Quality on BBC HD Winter Olympics,
The fact is that EUROSPORT HD looked far better,
Looked much sharper.
Was cleaner looking.
Much better colours.
Add beter detail.
Yes, no bad motion smearing.

So yet again Picture Quality was far better on Eurosport HD,
Much higher Bit Rate and higher Resolution,
it looked far better, Very easy for me to say it was Better.........

@7 "....quality of picture which can only be described as stunning on my 19 inch HD Ready TV (via scart connection)."

If you really are watching through Scart, you're not seeing HD!!!

Danielle Re scheduling and the impact on Mad Men and Nurse Jackie of the Winter Olympics. Many of us think the BBC got this wrong and should NOT have cancelled these.

Danielle "I believe firmly that HD is the future of television, the next stage on a journey which has progressively seen what television can offer become both more and more lifelike and "real"." Absolutely. Hence it's disappointing that HD is barely mentioned in the BBC's strategy document. We hope that you will be fighting HD's corner behind the scenes.

#19. At 6:41pm on 03 Mar 2010, derek500 wrote:

"@7 "....quality of picture which can only be described as stunning on my 19 inch HD Ready TV (via scart connection)."

If you really are watching through Scart, you're not seeing HD!!!"

Finding irony is not your strong point I take it! :)

Read all the (including attempted) comments made by "Midzone1", especially those that precede the comment you cited...

#post 21 by brucen

'Hence it's disappointing that HD is barely mentioned in the BBC's strategy document'

Yes - I got to page 48 (page 61 on the PDF) before 'BBC HD' appeared - and only twice I think in the whole document.

Mind you that just about equates with the number of programmes I've seen recently 'in stunning HD' - HD yes - but not as good as it was.

Cheers, daveac

I find your comments regarding HD perplexing. I live in Canada, and have two options for viewing F1 in HD. TSN (local Canadian sports network) or SpeetTV (USA sports network). SpeedTV gets their HD feed straight from FOM and interestingly, TSN just broadcasts the ITV broadcast from the UK who also get it straight from FOM.

And yes, it's in full 1080p HD (yes, I can tell :-0) This was available all last season and will be again this season.

So it would seem to me that either FOM is pulling the wool over your eyes or you're pulling the wool over your viewers eyes and just not paying for the HD feed.

Nick Reynolds
again nick over the Top moderating, thank you for removeing my
Blog Number 13, i guess i should not be telling the truth
when talking about Picture Quality on BBC HD.......

derek500 - rest assured I have now removed my tongue from my cheek, the rose tinted specs have been taken off and I moved on from cloud cuckoo land - it was a lovely experience however - a bit like Narnia except covered by sand in which people had their heads buried - both 'Dan'yell and 'Handy Question avoided' send their regards.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

I've done a bit of research and just learned that the BBC was won the rights to broadcast F1 this year vs. ITV who has done it the last number of years.

So, since the ITV broadcast (which we receive in Canada through TSN and is in full glorious 1080p HD) was in HD, does this mean since BBC has taken over they are unwilling to pay extra for the HD feed from FOM?? If so, give it back to ITV please.

Well after doing more research... turns out I am wrong! Wow, that never happen, haha... anyway, as it turns out our local sports channels have been feeding us Canadian and US viewers complete lies. They tell us it's in HD, when in fact it's not, just widescreen (maybe 480). Hmmm, maybe I can't tell?? Anyway, it's at least upscaled, because I can watch TSN and SpeedTV's broadcast on two channels, their both have SD channels and their HD channels. The HD channels look much better than the SD, but muct still not be true HD.

So, there you go.

Blog 27 Midzooe 1
So will Nick let us Talk about Picture Quality again, or close the
Blogs like last Time. ????

28. At 8:17pm on 03 Mar 2010, Blue Bandit wrote:

"I've done a bit of research and just learned that the BBC was won the rights to broadcast F1 this year vs. ITV who has done it the last number of years.

So, since the ITV broadcast (which we receive in Canada through TSN and is in full glorious 1080p HD) was in HD, does this mean since BBC has taken over they are unwilling to pay extra for the HD feed from FOM?? If so, give it back to ITV please."

BBC was all but given the F1 UK contract (I don't think the BBC has ever made public how much it is paying for the UK rights) after ITV handed it back because they couldn't afford the stupid amount they had bid for them, they were also loosing audience figures which probably wasn't making 'Bernie' very happy at all, nor the advertisers who ultimately funded the bid.

ITV never screened F1 in HD, they were in the same position as the BBC are, 'Bernie' won't allow the UK to have an HD broadcast feed.

If the BBC could obtain an HD feed for F1 they would no doubt use it to promote the HD channel, until then all anyone can do is dream of 'Bernie' and F1 having a change of heart.

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules. Explain.

32. At 08:47am on 04 Mar 2010, Nick Reynolds wrote:

"Picture quality is off topic on this post. Go to Andy's post if you wish to discuss that."

Nick, can you tell us what you think HD is, what difines the BBC HD channel compared to the BBC's other television channels, I'm confused like many must be.

Whilst I agree that technical details, bit rates, how encoders work, how the CCD device or frame rate within a camera can affect the resultant programme would all be totally off topic in any of Nagler's blogs the de facto PQ element can't be, it defines what HD Television is, without a higher PQ than SD there is little reason for HD surely?

@32 Nick Reynolds wrote:

"Picture quality is off topic on this post. Go to Andy's post if you wish to discuss that."

Nick, now that the television blogs have started, can someone explain the logic of why discussions about television picture quality will remain under the internet blog?

Are you going to stop us, by moderation, discussing television picture quality under the topic of television?

If you say that, well these threads already exist, then so do Danielle's. But she has moved on to television, for clearly explained reasons.

Ergo, it certainly makes sense for Andy to move any technical discussions (if that is what you want to pigeonhole PQ as) under television

If not, then that seems a triffle odd. And if so would appear to be a delibrate ploy to hide the debate....

In reply to comment #35:

I'm starting to believe that the comment in your last paragraph is spot on, sadly, and to think there is this blog running concurrently with this one in the "BBC Internet blog"...

#37:

Nick, can there be an assurance of a pointer on all of Danielle's future blogs (about the BBC's HD TV channel) towards Andy's more technical blogs on the subject of HD, not only will it help to keep the SNR down on Danielle's own blogs but also stifle any suggestion that the BBC is trying to hide away the more technical issues surrounding the BBC HD channel.

I must say that I do not agree with the logic that Andy's blog(s) are better placed in a section relating to BBC internet, if you want to keep the two apart there are many other headings were Andy's more technical blogs would fit, even the R&D blog is probably better suited to the sort of technical questions that Andy is getting asked even though they have as much to do with R&D as they do the BBC's internet presence - but if this is the boat we have to float with so be...

Unbelieveable - again!

#post 1 by me 'daveac' removed

How could my reply be considered 'off-topic' and it was certainly civil in tone.

My replies were directly linked to two quotes from the original post by Danielle.

That as Head of BBC HD one would have thought the 'HD' bit to be relevant to her postings and yet when she referred to posters 'frequent ... frustrations' PQ wasn't mentioned.

And 'I will continue to comment where it feels appropriate' didn't match with the 'post and disappear' nature of her earlier blogs.

This is the only post I've had removed and to give readers an idea of my contributions you can see the more recent one's via this link:-

https://bbc.kongjiang.org/www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/profile/?userid=6496545

Cheers, daveac

Thanks for the link Nick - wow! Danielle has replied within a blog not once, but SIX times! Incredible, that really backs up her assertion that she interacts with us poor licence payers doesn't it...?

Again I will quote that she says she will respond where she feels it appropriate.
It's incredible that over 33 Blog entries showing as started by Danielle, and the 1000's or replies to these, only 6 posts by her readers were "appropriate" for a reply.

#post 1 (myself daveac)#post 40 (by Nick) #post 39 (myself daveac)

Thank you Nick my first post has re-appeared allowing read to see (hopefully) that I was on-topic & civil -

even if I spelt 'Unbelievable' incorrectly twice :-)

Cheers, daveac

Re 42: "daveac", my guess is that it was your second paragraph (your comment after the second quote) that got referred, that paragraph can be taken either of two ways.

Oh, and before you ask, no I didn't, I was as equally surprised to see the comment vanish...

#post 42 by Boilerplated

Well if was that bit - the words 'HD broadcast technology' in the blog surely allowed my comment.

Thanks, daveac

"This is a post of course to say hello - but also a sort of goodbye."

please dont do this to us Danielle. You almost had us all jumping for joy only to be let down.

Maybe the fact Danielle is going to be posting elsewhere and not in the HD blogs is her admitting the channel quality cannott be classed as HD.

Nick, the decision to move Danielle's Blogs, imminently, to the BBC Television site, vice the BBC Internet site, is clearly a good one. I applaud it and look forward to many new Blogs and further discussion from Danielle over there.

However, my assessment from the numerous comments placed here and elsewhere recently, is that the decision to retain Andy Quested's more technical Blogs (on the subject of High Definition Television) on the old site, and hence not to move it to the new Television area, is not so well judged.

If you do continue to fly-in-the-face of the overwhelming opinions expressed here, and do persist in pursuing a line that appears to be based on flawed logic, then I'd like to make a suggestion. If adopted by you, it might just eleviate the consternation from some of the commenters who will undoubtedly soon fall foul of your house rules when they become confused over where to post their comments.

Wherever a commenter's posting is removed by you and/or your team simply for being off-topic, then perhaps instead of the catch-all statement "This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the House Rules", it should actually be moved to where the BBC actually think it best placed, BUT with the addition of a polite statement in the original location to the effect that *BBC ID*'s "comment is deemed, by the BBC, to be more appropriately placed here:" followed by a link to its new location.

#47. At 08:20am on 05 Mar 2010, Nick Reynolds wrote:

"paul_geaton - thanks for your suggestion. But I've intervened in these threads many times to point people to the right places to go, and included links to these places. I don't think anything extra is necessary and your idea would involve quite a lot of work. There are only so many hours in the day. Thanks."

Yes Nick, but the blogs in question (BBC TV Blog) will also have a whole new audience who might not of the "correct" place, so Paul's suggestion holds a lot of merit - unless the intention is to try and shut-down such debate...

Of course the BBC could adopt my suggestion, a permanent 'Editors Note' at the top of every HD blog from Danielle directing such discussion to Andy's blog.

Just about every other social media or Forum style website have tools to allow the moving of off-topic comments to more appropriate areas rather than the brutal deletion tool (which should be reserved for rule breaking and not house-keeping), if the BBC doesn't have such tools or it's not possible to install such tools on its social media platform then it really is admitting that the software is not fit for purpose in the year 2010!

@49 - except this is not Andy's blog.. It's Danielle's...

Confusing isn't it? ;-)

49. At 12:08pm on 05 Mar 2010, Nick Reynolds wrote:

"Boilerplated - of course when Danielle's posts start to appear on the TV blog people will be directed to the right place to discuss picture quality. At the moment people don't seem to have any problem finding the right place."

But will that be before they attempt to make an 'off-topic' comment or after their 'mistake' has been deleted (to all intent and purpose), that is the question and something we are still awaiting an answer to, your comment doesn't tell us anything we didn't already know...

See you're confused - how do you think we all feel!

Are you sure that's all you do Nick? The reason I ask is that I posed a question on another blog which you have still not answered so I am not sure of the best place to post it - I thought 'Moderation let's talk about it' was ideal but as your not a Moderator that's probably why you didn't respond - I am happy to post the question on the most appropriate blog if you would let me know which one - it's the question about whether you style of hosting causes even more conflict on the blogs.... remember?

#52. At 1:58pm on 05 Mar 2010, Nick Reynolds wrote:

"Boilerplated - we're getting into unnecessary detail here."

Not at all, the devil is always in the detail, as they say. :)

boilerplated..you have been at this longer than me..are the bbc always so defensive ??

Dannielle says:

"For the BBC - as for all of us - HD at the start was about technology. For that reason, engaging through the BBC Internet blog made absolute sense."

Well Danielle it might make sense to you but it makes absolutly no sense to me. Firstly HD is about technology and always will be about technolgy and in particular Picture and Sound quality. I have always understood the title of "Internet blog" to mean a blog which is carried out on the Internet rather than a blog about the internet.

I think alot of confusion is due to the stratergy the BBC has to HD. Most broadcasters have applied HD technology to thier channels like Channel 4 HD. Unfortunatly the BBC decided to set up an "HD Channel". This desision has resulted in a large number of problems. Firstly all the programs shown on BBC HD are made for other channels. BBC HD is not a distinctive channel it is just a mish mash of programs which were made using HD technology. This has resulted in in the scheduling problems which have really anoyed viewers. It also makes it difficult to promote HD when the programs are not simulcast.

Sky has a different attitude to HD as it sees that HD is a technology that should be applied to all channels. It is very significant that Sky no longer supplies an SD Sky+ box. HD is the only option. I notice that Sky only mention the HD channel when promoting programmes.

The BBC also has big financial problems which is forcing them to make massive cut backs in some of their services. To me this demonstraits a lack of planning which is very evident with the deployment of HD. The current very limited 9 hours per day of low quality HD is pathetic.

I notice BBC HD are giving you the chance to vote for your three favourite programmes from a selection - the top shows will be shown over Easter weekend.

Most of them have been repeated several times already but nice idea.

@59 Midzone1 wrote:

"I notice BBC HD are giving you the chance to vote for your three favourite programmes from a selection"

Pretty strange choice to vote from...

https://bbc.kongjiang.org/www.bbc.co.uk/bbchd/eastervote2010/

"60. At 11:10am on 08 Mar 2010, citizenloz wrote:

@59 Midzone1 wrote:

"I notice BBC HD are giving you the chance to vote for your three favourite programmes from a selection"

Pretty strange choice to vote from...

https://bbc.kongjiang.org/www.bbc.co.uk/bbchd/eastervote2010/"

Not only a strange choice, but a broken form too:

"Error
No email was sent due to an error.

500 Could not open template - No such file or directory

/home/system/www/bbchd/easter2010.txt

cgiemail 1.6"

Fixed now!

Danielle was kind enough to reply over sports issues in the last blog on Post 23 and it would be nice to hear over Wimbledon and The World Cup.
With Wimbledon and The World Cup facing a clash only a British Wimbledon player and both singles finals should take priority over a non-England World Cup game.
There will be far more interest from viewers of the World Cup which only takes place every 4 years compared to a Wimbledon match as there will be interesting games like Brazil v Portugal and games taking place which will determine who England and other teams will play in the first knock out round, if England make it.

It's been nearly 9 months since the BBC Sport Blog which resulted from Post 3 and 5 in this blog.

After these issues were raised this year the BBC has been able to bring all the 6 nations games in HD for the first time by working with other broadcasters to share costs, The Winter Olympics for the first time, coverage of the Australian Open for the first time, nearly all of its Championship football games, and 2 semi final games and the final of the League Cup. In the coming months it will show The Grand National and The Open for the first time.

The BBC Easter choice is a good idea for viewer choice.
There should be a sport choice for viewers to pick the top 7 sports they want to see in HD out of the 15 listed.


Formula One - FOM start testing HD this year. The Japan Grand Prix is already produced in HD by Fuji TV. If FOM are ready the BBC could show the last 4 races in HD and 5.1.

Autumn Rugby Internationals - The BBC is now successfully working with French and Italian broadcasters to bring all 6 nations games in HD and showing Irish games in HD. There is little reason why the BBC can't work with South African, Australian and New Zealand HD broadcasters over the costs to bring the Autumn Internationals in HD. The England games are already shown in HD.

Moto GP - Unless there any last minute issues Moto GP is set to go HD. As the BBC have already shown coverage on BBCi and BBC HD simultaneously now there is little reason not to show Moto GP races. Most of them do not clash with current BBC HD hours.

Home Nations football matches - When the BBC has away competitive or friendly fixtures featuring Scotland, Wales , Northern Ireland or England the games should be shown in HD.

Rugby League - The one England International fixture the BBC has and coverage of the semi final matches and final match.

Golf - Highlights of the Ryder Cup which is fully produced in HD, the BBC don't use a studio for its highlights.
Scottish Open - It will take place the week before The Open with Sky Sports showing the first 2 days in HD so the BBC can share costs to bring its 2 days of coverage in HD. The Open is taking place a week later so the BBC will already have the staff in Scotland.
Wentworth PGA Championship - Again Sky Sports will have the first 2 days coverage in HD so BBC HD can share costs to bring the final 2 days in HD.

Snooker - Coverage of the final, until extra HD channels allow for complete coverage.

BDO darts - Coverage of the final, until extra HD channels allow for complete coverage.

Scottish Cup coverage.

The Scottish FA Cup.

Horse racing - The Derby.

The Boat Race - One off event which the BBC could cover like The Grand National.

Mangers League Rugby - Coverage of the semi finals and finals to determine the Champions of the league. More coverage when the BBC expands the number of HD channels it has.

NFL - Coverage of the Superbowl.

Alpine Skiing World Cup - BBCi currently shows live coverage of some of the major races. A small number shown on BBCi were produced in HD this year with more to follow.

There should also be a list for people to pick which highlights and other sports shows they would like to see shown first once the BBC moves to its HD studios in Salford.

These feature events where there is or soon will be complete HD coverage of all events.
Match of the Day and MOTD 2.
Football Focus.
Formula One.
Football League Cup.
Cricket World Cup.
Twenty20 World Cup.
Inside Sport.

These will also be possible in the future as HD filming is expanded to all games or there will be only a limited amount of SD material so BBC HD can show the highlights.

The Football League show and Late Kick Off.
The Super League Show.
Ski Sunday.

i did a tour of TVC about three years ago.
I asked about the BBC's comitment to HD.
the Girl said "we are leaving that to SKY!"
Looks as though you still are.

Moto GP, Golf, Autumn Rugby Internationals and at least the last 4 of this years Formula One races could all be broadcast this year in HD with ease.

The broadcaster for Moto GP is set to shown the sport in HD this year.
All the BBC Golf coverage is in HD, Sky will jointly produce 2 tournaments in HD as they are sharing the coverage with the BBC.
If the BBC works with South African, Australian and New Zealand broadcasters it can show the Autumn Internationals this year.
Formula One is having HD tested for next year and Fuji TV already show the Japan Grand Prix in HD, so the BBC should be able to show the last 4 races in HD.
https://twitter.com/LeeMcKenzieF1/statuses/7483495405

So viewers would only need to pick 6 from 11 if the BBC go ahead with these events this year mentioned in post 63.

@65 Andrew Knight wrote:

"viewers would only need to pick 6 from 11 if the BBC go ahead with these events"

Why should we have to 'pick' any?

Certain other channels would show them all in HD. If the BBC can't, then other channels should be allowed to have the HD rights.

To all at BBC HD.

Thanks for Sunday's Wonders of the Solar System this was truly magnificent:

Content: Wonderful
Picture Quality: Good HD with no noticeable compression artefacts
Use of 5.1 sound: Great.

Minor irritation: Continuity voice crashing in over the credits and sound track, prevented the full enjoyment of what I had just experienced from sinking in. Why do you do this?

Interesting to see what creatures of habit we are. With the Sunday simulcasts of Lark Rise regularly pulling in circa 200,000 viewers, the new Monday showings are not even getting in the top ten, with less than 75,000.

As a post script to the above, the Sunday before the Olympics Lark Rise got 234,000 viewers on BBC HD.

In the first week of the Olympics the 20.30 Sunday slot got 81,000. The second week the 20.00 slot got 132,000 and the final week the 20.00 slot didn't register at all.

So Danielle,

Having said your goodbyes here, when can we expect an hello over there?

@ citizenloz

Giving people the chance to pick up to 6 from 11 would be so the BBC sees what sports are the most popular. If it was 11 from 11 it wouldn't serve much of a purpose even though that would be the final aim the BBC can't do it all in one go.

It would either be 7 from 15 or 6 from 11 depending on whether the BBC can confirm, Moto GP, The Autumn Internationals, all the Golf and at least the Fuji Grand Prix are in HD with FOM showing the final 3 in HD if its tests are completed.

The Easter site shows the BBC could set up a survey for sports viewers so the BBC can see which sports are the most popular for being broadcast in HD.


Also Danielle did mention this year should see the first HD broadcasts of the French Open Tennis including British players and the finals.

Re 71, Andrew Knight

My point was really that if the BBC can't broadcast the event in HD, then someone else should be allowed to.

It's all very well having this list of 'protected' sports, but not if the consequence is no one sees them in HD.

BBC can retain the SD rights, but another broadcaster should be allowed to cover it in HD if the BBC is unable to.

That said, with no exclusivity of the event a broadcaster like Sky may not be so interested. But given they were happy to broadcast the Carling cup alongside the BBC, and also given it would help justify their HD subscription then they may be.

Sorry, but I don't want to see 6 out of 11 sports events in HD just because the BBC is unwilling or unable to provide HD coverage. I want to see 11 out of 11.

If the BBC can't do it, then they should give them up (the HD only rights)

@citizenloz

It is entirely feasible to bring at least the Fuji Grand Prix in HD and with testing completed towards the end of the season the final 3 Formula One races before full HD coverage in 2011.
The BBC should be able to bring Moto GP, all its Golf coverage and The Autumn Internationals in HD.

The BBC should have a voting list so it can see how important the sports are for different viewers. It may be more will want the coverage of the Super League Challenge Cup final and Scottish FA Cup than BDO Darts and Snooker finals.

This year so far it has added Australian and French Open Tennis, The Open Golf, Grand National and all 6 nations games in HD.

For Formula One or Moto GP it isn't involved directly with race coverage so it could bring these events as soon as possible. And with those that it does cover at the current pace of change over all these sports will be in HD by 2012 if not earlier.

Please please please show F1 in HD, I understand FOM are testing it this year but from what I have heard, at least some races will give broadcaster access to HD streams.

Many thanks, and continue the good work

Can I second Bill-Taylor's point about continuity announcers speaking over the credits? Every week on Mad Men there's a carefully selected period music track over the credits, and every week a BBC announcer talks over it to tell us highly useful facts such as 'the next episode is on next week' - really annoying.

@ Andrew Knight "Sky will jointly produce 2 tournaments in HD as they are sharing the coverage with the BBC."


Do we know this? Last year Sky used BBC facilities for the Thursday and Friday and were always blaming the lack of the usual HD coverage on the 'host broadcaster'.

#76. At 5:51pm on 10 Mar 2010, derek500 wrote:

"@ Andrew Knight "Sky will jointly produce 2 tournaments in HD as they are sharing the coverage with the BBC."

Do we know this? Last year Sky used BBC facilities for the Thursday and Friday and were always blaming the lack of the usual HD coverage on the 'host broadcaster'."

After the recent spate of comments by Mr Knight I'm rapidly gaining the impression that he doesn't really know what he is talking about (to put it bluntly...), he seems to just repeat the rumour-mill whilst not actually understanding anything about the legalities of broadcast rights etc, or the roll that the host broadcaster plays (who may be different to any domestic broadcaster), just because the host broadcaster is televising an event using HD equipment it doesn't mean that one or any domestic broadcaster can actually re-transmit that HD feed, it might just being used as an acquisition/distribution format.

Take F1 as an example, as the BBC has pointed out many times, until 'Bernie' and "F1"[tm Formula One Administration Ltd] specifically allow the BBC to broadcast the events in HD the BBC's hands are tied, even if they are down-converting such a feed for SD transmission.

@Boilerplated

The BBC is very capable of now handling sport in HD and it is more cost effective.
See the link for what the BBC used for The Winter Olympics.

https://www.ukscreenassociation.co.uk/news/articles.htm?aId=2550

It can be used for multiple HD feeds from Formula One, The World Cup and The Commonwealth games, Golf Events and other sports while sending only a minimal number of staff out which is very cost effective.



The Scottish Open is the week before The Open so there are huge cost efficiencies to be made by screening both events in HD, not to take advantage of this plus sharing costs with Sky for the PGA event would be a greater waste of money and loss for BBC HD viewers.

Costs have fallen in the outside broadcast industry so the BBC can bring more events in HD. The whole of Wimbledon is now broadcast in HD despite few broadcasters being able to take broadcast multiple HD feeds, the whole of the Winter Olympics were broadcast in HD despite the same fact that few broadcasters could have show all the multiple feeds at the same time.

Surely it would have been a waste of money to cover the whole of both events when the BBC and other broadcasters only have 1 HD channel? It is now feasible to cover all the courts or events even if you only have 1 HD channel and share the costs amongst all the broadcasters who cover the event who may want different feeds during the coverage.
It isn't just the BBC that has to pay and with HD now available widely in many countries more are willing to share the costs bringing costs significantly down compared to 1 or 2 years ago when there far fewer HD broadcasters around the World who held the same broadcast rights to the same events as the BBC.


After pointing out to the BBC the availability of EBU HD feeds of the Austrlian Open and French Open the BBC are now providing coverage from those events.

After pointing out the cost efficiencies of working with French, Irish and Italian broadcasters over HD the BBC now provide all the 6 nations.

After pointing out the cost efficiencies of working with the provider of Championship games and the League Cup the BBC has provided all but 1 of them in HD.

See the links to the old blogs on message number 63.


This year there unless there are unforeseen changes Moto GP will be in HD. The BBC can confirm this.
The BBC can work with South African, Australian and New Zealand broadcasters who have HD services to make it cost effective to bring the Autumn Internationals in HD. The England games are already screened in HD so there is a chance to work more cost effectively to bring all the games in HD and provide the BBC with HD highlights of the England games.

FOM will be testing in HD this year and the Japanese Grand Prix is already filmed in HD. If the testing is complete the BBC could bring not only the Japanese Grand Prix but the final 3 races in HD. It could even start its coverage sooner if testing finishes earlier.


As you allude to there are reasons why this information isn't more widely available earlier. But despite the BBC knowing the 6 nations would be all covered in HD it wasn't released to the public until the end of January.
https://bbc.kongjiang.org/www.bbc.co.uk/pressoffice/pressreleases/stories/2010/01_january/27/rugby.shtml



You can take the official line but it is often slow and doesn't represent the latest availability or ability to bring sports in HD cost effectively for the BBC and its increasing number of HD viewers who continually ask for Formula One to be shown in HD.

#67 & #75, this takes me back to the days before the PQ issue raised its head, in our homes and on the Blogs (not that we're allowed to talk about that here so I won't), when we were trying to drive home to Danielle that on an HD channel we didn't want an intrusive DOG (at all) but what we did want was 5.1 surround sound. Watching Damages now one can easily imagine that that was a little skirmish that we won.

So, I'll now add my support to the growing swell of opinion that continuity announcers talking over the credits are not welcome - and sipasblog, I fully concur because sometimes that "carefully selected period music" at the end of Mad Men is my favourite bit of the show, cocooning me in sound at the end of a glorious 3/4s of an hour of escapism.

Danielle, my thanks for every show on the channel without a DOG and for all those with 5.1. Now, please don't let your guys and girls talk over the ends.

@ 79 DD5.1 is default in the US, even Sky commission all their programmes with it, whether an afternoon chat show or a major drama.

I still don't understand why programmes like the first series of Cranford were broadcast in stereo, yet the Blu-ray is DD5.1.

Anyone?

#80, Derek, I agree. And I can't understand, either, why they make Jonathon Ross in a brand new studio, specially equipped for HD, and then don't transmit it in 5.1 sound.

Oh and Danielle, my wife's verdict on Ep 1 of "The Gemma Factor" - "this is just awful". It's not my cup of tea either.

what is this obsession with lambing? as if 5 consecutive nights of 1-hour slots primetime was not extreme overkill for a very uninteresting subject, we now have to endure a 90-minute special highlights show which has leapt into the schedules unannounced

get a grip, this is pathetic

#82. At 11:10am on 13 Mar 2010, nur0 wrote:

"as if 5 consecutive nights of 1-hour slots primetime was not extreme overkill for a very uninteresting subject,"

What programme could that statement of fact be used against, to you it's (obviously) Lambing Live, to someone else it could be Mad Men...

Want your own personal viewing schedule, either record every programme and then watch at your leisure or buy DVDs!

@82, The trouble is by committing to a live simulcast for six days it messes with other programmes.

Apart from Lark Rise being shunted to Monday's and losing thousands of HD viewers, it meant they couldn't do last night's Eurovision show in HD, like they did last year.

I'm posting here because I've just signed up and I can't see how to even start a new thread!

My comment is about BBC HD Preview - it's very good, but wouldn't it be useful to know which programmes you're seeing previews of, when they are on etc? Something in the "i" section, a short detail at the end of each clip, etc?

Thank for your comment Andy. I watched it this morning and saw quite a few programmes which had no mention at all of what they were or what channel on. As an example, I have just watched the clip from the programme ( un-named) voiced over by Jonathan Ross following Waterloo Road ( which did have a brief title for a few nanoseconds at the start) and then the one about Raymond Le Blanc ( also un-named) although both did show the channel briefly at the start - but blink and you even miss that! And surely if you can put the caption in briefly at the start, can't you repeat it at the end, or just leave it there?

I'd like to start off thanking BBC HD. The programs you do show are amazing, but there a couple of gripes I have.

Sport in HD is fantastic to watch. Is there a reason why Match of the Day is not shown in HD?

Secondly, the point you make about F1, that "the events are being filmed in HD (as far as we know) but they are not made available by F1 to broadcasters in HD" is not true. They are made available. Last years season I was in the US for 6 months, and managed to watch the first half of the season in full HD on the "Versus" channel. F1 is not a major sport in the States (the only people I worked with that watched it were from Europe), and tends to be shown during the night, yet they are still able to get it in HD. Why can't the BBC? Sorry to sound grumpy, I just don't understand why it's not been made available.

@Darren

In the UK both Channel 4 and Eurosport use very good encoders to upscale non-HD content, Versus will have been doing the same.

Despite the fact BBC HD will have to switch to BBC1,2,3/CBBC,4/CBeebies there seems some resistance to upscaling despite it working fine on Channel 4 and Eurosport.

F1 is now testing HD, you can probably notice the on-board cameras are a lot sharper.
The Japanese F1 is already made in HD by Fuji TV so the BBC could show this race in HD and join F1 in HD when the tests conclude.

@ Darren

There are currently no HD enabled studios suitable for MOTD. When the sports department moves to Salford, MOTD will go HD.

@ Darren

August 2011 should see Match of the Day start in HD.

By then all the key sports programming mentioned in earlier posts should be in HD. There will be little reason why that would not be possible.

Get MotoGP onto the HD channel!!!

Danielle Nagler wrote:
"This is a post of course to say hello - but also a sort of goodbye
____________________________________

The move to the TV Blog is a brilliant way of consigning to history all the previous negative comments on BBC HD. Now, readers of Danielles' blogs, (over on the TV Blog), will, when clicking-on DN see only the new TV blogs.

George Orwell would be proud of you - Good-Bye!

More embarrassment for BBC HD, the Wentworth Golf is going to be shown in HD but the BBC hasn't confirmed if its coverage will be in HD.

Moto GP is also being shown in HD despite the BBC only having the trailer during the day when Moto GP races take place. It seems viewers are being let down again when they have purchased Freesat and Freeview HD equipment to see their favourite sports in HD.

#96. At 5:40pm on 12 Apr 2010, F1 wrote:

"It seems viewers are being let down again when they have purchased Freesat and Freeview HD equipment to see their favourite sports in HD."

More fools them then, considering that the BBC has ever given any guarantee that sports will be in HD even if such feeds are avialible...

HD is an extra service, want a guaranteed service, pay for it, subscribe to pay TV, don't expect the majority to subsidise your egos.

@Boilerplated

Here are some reasons to get BBC HD. Wimbledon, The 6 nations, Masters Golf. They are now joined by this year The Grand National, Australian Open Tennis, Championship football. Sooner or later they will be joined by Formula One and Moto GP and others sports the BBC has.

Name a few TV programmes in HD shown year after year?

Maybe that will deflate any anti sports ego and show how unless the BBC invests in programming that is shown year in year out people won't get Freeview HD or Freesat HD because it doesn't offer enough good sports programming.
They aren't going to buy it to watch a one off documentary like The Wonders of the Solar system which while was very good was a one off series.


Viewers want F1, viewers want Moto GP and Autumn Rugby Internationals and others sports coverage to be shown in HD.

98. At 3:28pm on 14 Apr 2010, F1 wrote:

"../cut the hyperbolic hype/.. Viewers want F1, viewers want Moto GP and Autumn Rugby Internationals and others sports coverage to be shown in HD."

No they do not, most don't give a monkeys as most people do not have HD TVs...

@99, Boilerplated, strictly speaking I suppose you're right to say that "most people do not have HD TVs...", that is if you're counting all the children who don't own one themselves.

However, I believe there's currently a population of around 62 million in the UK. It's recently been said that around 23 million HD TV's have been sold in the country (according to OFCOM: "By Q4 2009 cumulative sales of HD ready televisions had reached almost 23 million - https://www.ofcom.org.uk/research/tv/reports/dtv/dtv_2009_q4/dtv_2009_q4.pdf%29

This means quite a high proportion of UK citizens must own an HD ready TV and, as all the kids are probably watching their parent's, it just goes to show that there are plenty of people who do "give a monkey's" about HD, so to speak. In support of F1, I'd suggest that many of them also like sport!