BBC One HD

BBC One HD is now available

You can now see many of BBC One's big shows in high definition on the new BBC One HD channel. To find out more visit the TV blog.

You can watch it on Freesat channel 108, Freeview channel 50, Sky channel 143 and Virgin Media channel 108.

To find out what programmes are on visit the BBC One HD Schedule.

Watch the new BBC One HD trail

The new trail features stars from across BBC One and shows them to you as you've never seen them before. Watch the new trailer on YouTube.

Go behind the scenes of BBC One HD

Danielle Nagler, Head of BBC HD and 3D, takes you behind the scenes of the new BBC One HD channel in this video clip.

Does this mean I will be able to watch EastEnders in HD?

EastEnders will broadcast for the first time in HD on Christmas Day. It will be available before then as part of BBC One HD, but will be upscaled rather than true HD.

Can I see all my favourite BBC One programmes in HD?

The new HD channel will simulcast a network version of the BBC One schedule and will show the majority of peak time programmes in HD. Almost every other programme will be upscaled.

What does upscaling mean?

"Upscaling" means that the number of lines in the standard definition picture is effectively doubled - from 576 to 1080 - to fill the HD screen. However, as the original material is still standard definition, the quality of the picture will not be equivalent to HD.

Which programmes will be upscaled?

Mainly daytime programmes, news programmes and programmes containing substantial amounts of archive material will be upscaled. Some children's and sport programmes will not be made in HD until those teams relocate to new HD studios. Some daytime programmes are made in HD, but the majority are not.

What will be shown if some programmes cannot be upscaled?

Where it is not possible to show a programme in HD, or upscaled standard definition, we will provide information for viewers to allow them to find the programme on the standard definition channel. We will not be broadcasting an alternative programme.

When will everything be in true HD?

By 2012 it is expected that the vast majority of all BBC One titles across all hours will be in true HD.

Which channel is BBC One HD on?

Freesat channel 108, Freeview channel 50, Sky channel 143 and Virgin Media channel 108.

BBC HD can be found on these channels:
Freesat channel 109, Freeview channel 54, Sky channel 169 and Virgin Media channel 187.

What do I need to get HD?

To watch programmes in HD, you will need an HD TV and HD digital box. For more details visit the BBC HD website.

How can I find out what's on BBC One HD this week?

To find out what programmes are on visit the BBC One HD Schedule.

Will I be able to watch the news on BBC One HD?

Not at the time of launch. We do - and will - broadcast some individual news events in HD (e.g. General Election, Obama Inauguration, events from the Papal visit, Remembrance Day). It is expected that BBC News will being working from our new HD-ready news centre in 2012/13.

Will regional and national programmes be available through BBC One HD?

BBC One HD cannot at the moment offer different programmes for different parts of the UK. This means it cannot broadcast the daily news bulletins for individual parts of the UK, or the programmes made for viewers in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are shown during the evening in those nations.

HD programmes shown on BBC One Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland will be available on BBC HD. And all programming for different parts of the UK continues to be available on BBC One in standard definition. Over time we hope to be able to deliver all the versions of BBC One that exist in standard definition in HD.

What is the difference between the BBC One HD and BBC HD channel?

BBC One HD will broadcast the BBC One schedule, and will show both true HD and upscaled programmes.

BBC HD will continue to broadcast only HD programmes, showcasing the best programmes from across all the BBC's channels such as Wimbledon, US Masters Golf, Top Gear, BBC Proms, Heroes, Mad Men, Dragons' Den, Hairy Bikers, Seven Wonders of the Solar System, How Earth Made Us and Later... with Jools.

Will BBC HD still show BBC One programmes?

Yes. BBC HD may provide additional opportunities to see some BBC One HD programming through narrative repeats and selective use of programmes from our HD archive. However, the proportion of BBC One programming within the schedule will go down.

How does high definition TV work? What does it mean?

An HD picture is clearer than current standard definition television because it contains more information in digital form. High Definition TV has up to five times as many pixels in each picture as standard definition TV.

Why/when would I find HD programming valuable?

HD broadcasts offer a more detailed picture than standard definition broadcasts. The improvement over a standard definition picture is particularly noticeable on flat-panel displays (LCD and plasma).

What do HD programmes look like on a standard definition television?

Programmes made in HD, such as Antiques Roadshow or Nature's Great Events, may look better on a standard definition television, because the pictures start off as better quality. But the full benefit of HD television can only be obtained from full HD viewing which needs an HD-ready screen, and an HD digital tuner (either inside the TV, or through a separate set-top box or recorder).