Freeview HD was officially launched at Channel 4’s headquarters in London after an extended round of beta testing.
The new service is expected to be available in 50 per cent of UK homes in time for the beginning of the World Cup on 11 June. For future rollout, Freeview HD is hoping to achieve 90 per cent UK coverage in time for the Olympics in 2012.
Around 4.5 million homes in Birmingham, Leeds, Cardiff will be able to receive the service from tomorrow, with S4C due to launch in Wales by the end of April.
BBC HD, ITV1 HD and C4 HD are all available on the service from launch (ITV1 HD and C4 HD will be simulcasts of the standard channels), with the possibility of “two further HD channels to come”.
Five HD is conspicuous by its absence, though it still hopes to be on the service by 2012 and will be available on Sky from July. In the meantime, its place is expected to be taken by a new BBC HD channel later this year.
Programmes coming to the service include new series of Dr Who, Ashes To Ashes, The Apprentice, Masterchef and Britain’s Got Talent, as well as World Cup and Wimbledon matches and the Grand National, as well as ITV1’s upcoming Prime Ministerial debate in this year’s election build-up.