News - Sky outlines plans for UK's first HD news channel

[HEXUS]

Sky news HD to launch in Spring 2010, promises to bring viewers even closer to domestic and international news.

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[Funkstar]

It's a real shame SkyNews is going to be the first, they probably have the least deserving content for HD.

At least with BBC, CNN, Euronews or France 24 they have programs and features withing their broadcast that would benefit from the higher picture quality. SkyNews is just rolling headlines.

Even Bloomberg would benefit as all their tickertapes would be clearer.

[TheAnimus]

I still don't like SKY's HD stratergy, the way you have to change chanel from 106 for sky one. Its bloody anoying to be stuck at the other end of the channel spectrum.

Then there is the pricing plan, it seams quite expensive for only 720p.

[shaithis]

The new EPG was the first step in sorting the channel numbering out...I guess once it's on all boxes the channel numbers will get re-ordered.

As for the price £10 extra per month for the most extensive HD channel selection around? Seems reasonable for a premium product IMO.

AS for Sky News HD, meh. Probably the least exciting channel they could have given the HD treatment to but then again they really haven't got many left to do.

[TheAnimus]

The new EPG is crap thou.

Say you've been paging down movies, but there is nothing on so you want to go back to entertainment, you have to page up to go back to the catagory banner. You can't press back up or anything.

[Funkstar]

The new EPG is crap thou.

Say you've been paging down movies, but there is nothing on so you want to go back to entertainment, you have to page up to go back to the catagory banner. You can't press back up or anything.

It might be crap, but it is still a hundred times better than the regular EPG.

I used it recently and after the comments about it (mainly from you ) I was actually quite impressed. Not nearly as bad as I was expecting.

[TheAnimus]

Ok mabye because we had a buggy version of it my view has been jaded somewhat.

But the number of programs you can see is less. Yes the insant series link support is good. But overall more channels on the screen is better imo.

[shaithis]

The new EPG is crap thou.

Say you've been paging down movies, but there is nothing on so you want to go back to entertainment, you have to page up to go back to the catagory banner. You can't press back up or anything.

Backup takes me back to the banner.........no need to keep scrolling up.

First backup takes you to the categories, the next backup takes you to the selection at the top of the screen (Guide, Planner, Anytime etc)

[Funkstar]

But the number of programs you can see is less. Yes the insant series link support is good. But overall more channels on the screen is better imo.

You might have to scroll through more pages, but at least the previous channel keeps playing, saving you from either silence or that annoying EPG music.

[Singh400]

Meh. SkyNews HD is something I can live without. It serves its main purpose - news when I want it.

Although their general "look" on the channel could do with a polish. Black on yellow? EURGH.

[Arthran]

Black on yellow? EURGH.

Exactly, give me Yellow on Black any day

[Brewster0101]

As for the price £10 extra per month for the most extensive HD channel selection around? Seems reasonable for a premium product IMO.

HD content of what you already pay for is not really a premium product. The quipment should be more but the actual subscription should be the same price, its a con. Your paying for something twice.

[shaithis]

HD content of what you already pay for is not really a premium product. The quipment should be more but the actual subscription should be the same price, its a con. Your paying for something twice.

It's a con?

The bandwidth for the HD channels is significantly higher then the SD channels.....more cost.

I also beleive a number of programs charge extra for the rights to broadcast their HD version.