Australia's Nine-HD to start on March 17th
Posted by Paul • Monday, March 10. 2008 • Category: terrestrial tv
The Australian Financial Review newspaper is reporting today that the Nine Network's High Definition service will begin multichannel programming on Monday March 17th.
Nine's rivals, the Seven and Ten networks, started their own HD multichannel services at the end of 2007, but Nine has been going through a number of difficulties with management and poorly-rating programs in recent times, has been slow to follow suit.
When launched, the service will consist of time shifted programming from its main channel, in addition to new programming. It remains to be seen how much the HD channel will differ from the existing standard definition broadcasts; Seven and Ten's HD services have been somewhat disappointing, with separate programming confined mostly to late nights.
The article also mentions that all three networks are planning for their second standard definition services, which will be allowed to air from January 2009, under current Australian broadcasting legislation.
Previously: Ten HD launches in Australia and Seven Network Commences multichannelling