31/10/2013 00:00
TW
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By Humphrey Carter

PALMA
BBC 1 launches its flagship channel in HD on November 3 and this, according to Sean Connolly of Ocean, is going to provide a number of problems for satellite viewers in the Balearics.

According to Sean Connolly of Ocean T.V www.hdfreesat.tv BBC1 HD is on one of the weakest possible frequencies for Majorca with no stronger regional alternatives so to pick it up any where south Soller/ Inca/ Arta you will need a 1.65 metre dish, as opposed to the 1.4 metre dished which is all that's usually required to pick up the regular BBC1 London or BBC1 Wales and other regional channels here in Majorca.

The BBC yesterday confirmed that BBC One HD will launch on Wednesday, 3rd November 2010 across all HD platforms: Freesat channel 108, Freeview channel 50, Sky channel 143 and Virgin Media channel 108.

KICKS OFF AT 7PM
The new high definition (HD) channel kicks off at 7pm with a series of programmes made in true HD: The One Show, followed by Wallace and Gromit: World of Inventions (the new series brought to you from award-winning Aardman Animations), as well as some food for thought with Nigel Slater's Simple Suppers and Jimmy's Food Factory. The Apprentice and Film 2010 will also show in HD that evening.

It is also announced today that the BBC's award-winning continuing drama EastEnders broadcasts in HD for the first time on Christmas Day, allowing viewers to catch all the drama in Albert Square in even more vivid detail.

EastEnders follows Holby City which made the move to HD on 18th October 2010. It will be shown on the BBC's existing HD channel, until BBC One HD launches in November.

The new HD channel will simulcast a network version of the BBC One schedule, with the majority of peaktime programmes in HD, including The Apprentice, Strictly Come Dancing, Children in Need, Antiques Roadshow, Countryfile, The Graham Norton Show and The Royal Variety Show.

However, Sean was quick to stress that satellite viewers will not be able to watch BBC1 HD.
During the day they should be able to pick up HD but after 8.30pm, unless they have a bigger dish installed, viewers will have to revert back to watching regular BBC1 in standard definition. “OR, they can wait a year or two until all the BBC's regional stations have gone HD and by then, the problem should be resolved,” he said.
The BBC said yesterday: “The Autumn launch is the first stage in delivering BBC One in HD. The majority of programmes in the BBC One network evening schedule will be available in HD at launch, and by 2012 it is expected that the vast majority of all BBC One titles across all hours will be in HD. In time the channel will evolve to bring all programmes, news and current affairs to viewers in the nations and regions.”

MINORCA WILL BE OK
As the maps provided by Sean explain, the top one refers to subscribers and any one under the line which stretches from Soller, down to Inca and then back up Arta is going to have problems picking up BBC HD without a bigger dish.

Oddly, Minorca is not going to have any problems receiving HD.
The second map refers to freeview or rather freesat as it is called here in the Balearics and also clearly shows which size dishes are going to be needed in which areas to be able to receive the full BBC HD service.