BBC says goodbye to HD channel

The BBC has shut down its BBC HD channel and replaced it with a simulcast HD feed of BBC2, which will air alongside the November 2010-launched BBC1 HD channel. 

As of today BBC2 HD will be available subscription-free on all UK digital TV platforms offering HD channels – including Sky HD, Virgin Media, Freesat HD, BT Vision, Freeview HD and YouView.

The launch date, first announced earlier this year, follows the earlier decision to close the general BBC HD channel as part of the BBC’s ‘Delivering Quality First’ cost saving efforts, announced in 2011.

The BBC HD channel launched in December 2007 and was the UK’s first free-to-air, high-definition television channel. Since its launch, it has broadcast a stand-alone schedule of BBC High Definition output from across the corporation’s portfolio.