Freeview, Freesat, Sky and Virgin all to get the new HD channel.

The BBC has given an official launch date for its BBC One HD channel, with the broadcaster announcing it is to go live on 3 November.

The channel will run alongside BBC HD and will be a simulcast of BBC One, with a number of key programmes getting the HD treatment.

These include: EastEnders (which will go HD on Christmas Day), Holby City, Children In Need and Film 2010.

Wider HD choice

"It's incredibly exciting to begin the official count down to the launch of the new channel, and we're delighted to be launching with BBC One's popular flagship programme The One Show," said Daniel Nagler, Head of HD, about the launch.

"The arrival of the UK's favourite channel in HD - as a second HD channel from the BBC - will increase the range and choice of HD programming we can offer the ever growing HD audience"

It seems that the BBC has been preparing for the HD switch for a while now.

In EastEnders the Queen Vic was burnt down in the show, but this was to mask the fact that new sets were needed before the show took the plunge and started transmitting in high definition.

Read more: http://www.techradar.com/news/home-cine ... z130tbhkJN

Well I think that we could expect a number of fires to clear sets on a number of shows. Can I suggest the Jeremy Kyle show but make no pretence that they are going to replace it?

I can't imagine what the gain is by filming Eastenders in HD.

I was at the hospital on Wednesday morning and they had Jeremy Kyle on in the waiting area. Now I knew it's reputation but I'd never actually seen it before. Jesus, what a waste of skin the people on that really are.

I hope you're burning everyone inside too - it's drastic, but it's the only thing the scum involved understand

I suppose the benefits are in overseas sales. Also many people have HD TV's now, so it makes more sense overall.