BBC HD channel has new boss

Brian Butterworth published on UK Free TV 18th July 2008 at 11:05

The BBC Trust approved the BBC HD channel last year, but it still is not broadcasting the promised schedule of nine hours programming a day, despite being available to Freesat HD customers, Sky+HD and Virgin Media's V+ homes (albeit in poor quality). It also has guaranteed slot on "Freeview HD" from Autumn 2009

BBC HD has growing rating and high approval, but now will also work with independent producers to increase HD programming.

Danielle Nagle will head BBC HD from 21 July, after a 12 year career at the BBC. She says: "At the moment there are 10 million HD-ready sets in the UK but only a minority are actually used for HD viewing. It's clear there's lots of work to do to open up the enormous viewing potential HD can offer for audiences.

"BBC HD tries to offer viewers the best of the BBC's HD programmes, so I've got the fantastic job of cherry-picking from all the BBC channels to create the best possible showcase for HD content. It's a critical time for the channel and the technology, and for people making programmes. But I hope that the BBC can help both audiences and the wider industry make the transition to HD."

Simon Nelson, BBC Controller of Multiplatform and Portfolio says: "HD is a central part of our broadcasting future with huge potential to grow on cable, satellite and in the future on Freeview. I'm confident that in Danielle's hands, the channel will make the transition to become a mainstream choice for our audiences."