11 May 2006
The BBC is to launch the UK's first free high definition broadcasts, the corporation has announced.
It will start broadcasting in HD on May 11th with a promotional preview of the digitally available service and is also replaying some of its more prominent programmes during this month in high definition.
The whole of the first batch of episodes of the documentary series Planet Earth will be given an HD outing over the bank holiday weekend starting on May 27th. An HD showing of its production of Charles Dickens' Bleak House will also be aired over the weekend.
"These are small but exciting first steps in the BBC's ambition to offer the option of high definition to all in the future," said the BBC's director of television Jana Bennett.
HD broadcasts from the BBC will initially only be available to customers with satellite television and the correct HD equipment, including a compatible television and set top box.
Sky says that it will begin installing set top boxes from May 22nd.
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