BigShinyThing

This week (12th July 2005), the corporation confirmed it had increased the amount of satellite capacity it rents from Luxembourg-based SES Global. The BBC said it would use the extra space to ‘reconfigure’ the satellite broadcasting of its TV, radio and interactive services. Sources close to the deal said the corporation had snapped up the capacity on the Astra 2A satellite so it could launch a HDTV package when BSkyB unveils its much-anticipated HD service early next year.

BSkyB wants to launch a HD service this year, according to recent trade press reports, but it is understood the pay-TV group will wait until it has a full-blown HD offering and will not test HD’s appeal by soft-launcing the service one channel at a time.

BSkyB is also planning the simultaneous of launch an updated version of its personal video recorder, Sky+, that will be able to record and play back HD broadcasts. The HD service is expected to launch in the spring of next year.

The full story appeared in Mediaguardian (free subcription required).