7HD

New channels taking away HD content.

The number of comments around at the moment on this and other web sites about Seven and Nine no longer having HD channels in favour for additional multi channels is staggering.

It seems there are more viewers angry with losing main channel content in HD than there are viewers happy with the extra channels proving alternative programming.

Perhaps this rage against the new channels may not be so severe if it weren’t for the fact that the new channels 7mate and GEM show very little content in HD. Day time programming on these channels consists of old movies and old TV shows mostly not even in 16:9 wide screen, let alone HD. Evening programming is a mix of mostly repeats with little new content. A few of the new shows like The Big C and Weeds on GEM, and Family Guy and American Dad on 7mate are shown in HD.

But while these channels occupy the HD spectrum of Seven and Nine, there are many shows aired on the main channel which are available in HD that are no longer being seen in HD. Nine News for example was upgraded around being optimised to look better in HD, while many of the US imports are available in HD.

Surely a better use of the HD channels by the networks would be to air whatever the network has available in HD rather than having the HD channel carrying targeted content regardless of whether content is in HD or not.

The networks have gone about it the wrong way. It was only a few years ago when they offered nightly HD break aways and started promoting HD content. All of that is gone now and you rarely even see a mention of HD on free to air TV.

On 7mate itself – there is no reference to the fact it is a HD channel, and so far as the majority of content is concerned, it doesn’t have to be a HD channel. The one and only ad I ever saw for GEM on Nine did make mention it was in “stunning” HD.

Based on all the negative comments floating around about what has happened to HD on free to air TV, it would appear that many people are confused or dismayed as to why this would happen and what is going on.

Why did it happen.

To cut a long story short, each commercial broadcaster is allowed two SD and 1 HD channels only. One of the SD channels must carry the exactly the same programming as the analogue broadcast. That means the main channel must be SD, to match its analogue signal. This cannot change until analogue is switched off everywhere by 2014.

Therefore, in order for one of the commercial networks to have three different channels, keeping in mind that the main channel has to be SD, then they must use the HD channel as a separate channel, instead of a simulcast or HD version of the main channel.

Then the question comes: If the ABC can have four channels, why can’t Seven, Nine and Ten? Yes – if they could have four channels, it would be problem solved as they would be able to have 3 separate SD channels and I HD channel which could remain as a simulcast of their main channel. But it would also mean that the HD channel could be no better than 720p resolution like ABC News 24 is, as opposed to the 1080i they use now one ONE HD, Gem and 7mate. Current licensing terms only allow the ABC to have four channels, with the commercials restricted to three.

Back in the 90’s in planning for digital TV in Australia, there was at least the foresight to include high definition as part of the requirement. But instead of guaranteeing the main channels would always be available in HD, the only requirement in place for the networks is that there is 20 hours a week of HD content provided. That content can be at any time, and does not have to be anything from the main channel.

That is where the mistake lies. If they had the foresight to consider HD as a necessary part of the implementation of digital TV in Australia as part of the way the technology was moving, then they should also have taken the necessary steps to guarantee access to quality HD programming – not just 20 hours a week.

Now – and obviously – the majority of what most people would consider quality programming is on each of the networks’ main channel. And why wouldn’t it be – afterall – 100% of the population has access to the main channels whereas only 75% have access to the digital channels and about 65% access to HD free to air*. The main channels is still where all the business is, and still accounts for 85% of what people watch on free to air TV each night. That’s 85% watching the five main channels, compared to 15% spread over 9 digital channels. Regardless of digital channels, each networks’ core focus is its main channel which is also their core source of income.

It would have made sense that the legislation was in place to guarantee that the main channels should be broadcast in HD, in the same way that it was guaranteed for the main channels to also be in SD so people could use cheaper SD only digital gear when converting up from analogue.

This would have meant that each commercial broadcaster could have just the one secondary channel, with the main channel offered in both SD and HD.

The role of FreeView.

FreeView exists as a means to promote free to air TV as a multi channel option to pay TV. Their ads focus on the concept of “more for free”, as over the last 18 months, the number of unique channels has more than doubled.

It would appear that the push for more channels, driven by FreeView, and the desire for free to air TV to claw back some of the market lost to pay TV is the main reason why they have all gone for the option of providing three channels instead of keeping most watched main channel content in HD.

However, there are now people are now realising that it is not the absolute number of channels that is important, it is the quality of content. Viewers may have more options than ever before in terms of what to watch on free to air TV, but now there is very little HD content to be seen.

Many people have spent the money upgrading to HD TVs so they can see their favourite shows in HD, not so they can see channels filled with repeats or shows not good enough for any decent main channel time slot.

Without Warning.

The worst part of losing the main channels in HD is the fact that it came without warning. Promotions of 7mate made no mention that 7HD would be lost as a result. Channel Nine didn’t warn anyone that 9HD would be no more when GEM started. At least Seven moved the HD service to a new channel, so people would still be able to use 70 for the main channel. Perhaps they were hoping noone would notice the difference in quality.

As for Nine, many who were using 9HD channel 90 to watch the main channel were left confused when suddenly channel 90 was showing GEM – a completely new channel. Comments in related stories here on Throng show people trying rescans to find where 9HD moved to and demonstrate the confusion in the market place.

As far as I could see, apart from Throng and similar websites, there is absolutely nothing on the media to explain what was going on with the new channels and what it meant for existing HD channels. People are confused and annoyed, and the lack of information simply enhances the rage.

Massive drop in number of people watching HD free to air TV.

Just 2 years ago – this time in 2008 – you could only get HD TV from free to air TV or BluRay, having just won the format war over HD DVD. Foxtel then did not have any HD channels. Now, Foxtel is about to launch another 4 HD channels, taking the total number of HD channels to 20. While free to air has made HD channels out of their HD simulcasts of their main channels thereby severely reducing the number of people who will be watching free to air in HD.

Just looking at the channel shares in this weeks’ ratings so far: GEM is averaging about 1%, 7mate closer to 2%, ABC News 24 0.5%, and ONE around 1% (although some of this figure includes people would watch ONE on SD if they don’t have HD).

SBS ONE is averaging around 5% of the shares – if you assume that all of the 65% of the population who have access to free to air HD would chose to watch SBS ONE in HD whenever they were watching an SBS show, that means that SBS ONE HD would now be the most watched free to air HD channel in Australia with a share of about 3.5%!

Before 7mate and GEM, you would have had significantly more people watching 7HD and 9HD respectively. Given both main channels Seven and Nine average around 24% of the shares at the moment, and again assuming that if you have access to HD, you will by default chose to watch the HD version of a channel (and why wouldn’t you), then you would have had share of around 16% for each of 7HD and 9HD.

Let’s put that into perspective. From 32% of the population watching Australia’s two most watched TV channels in HD down to just 3% watching the same two channels a week later now that they have become 7mate and GEM. These two channels have reduced the free to air HD television audience from about 37% down to around 8%.

However – I must point out, that because OzTam have never measured ratings of HD channels separately to main channels when showing the same content, we will never really know for sure how many people were watching the main channels in HD, other than assuming that the percentage of people who have access to HD free to air TV can be applied to main channel shares on a pro rata basis.

Free to air TV will ultimately lose.

Is it any wonder people are angry? If you spend thousands on a decent HD TV, don’t you want to use it to its full potential? Looks like the free to air networks are not concerned about the problem as they know that most shows will end up being watched regardless of whether they are in HD or not. Masterchef has never been in HD anywhere yet it rated through the roof.

The networks know, that while there is an outcry from many about the lack of main channel content in HD, at the end of the day, their main channels will continue to rate better than their secondary channels regardless of whether they are aired in HD or not.

But as people look elsewhere for their HD content, free to air will ultimately lose out as being a significant supplier of free to air programming in Australia. It is a situation that they will not be able to do anything about until the end of analogue leading up to 2014 where we may see all of their digital channels rearranged possibly bringing back the main channels to HD, and possibly, further down the track, resulting in all channels being in HD. By then though, there will probably be UHD breaking as new domestic technology. UHD is ultra high definition, and gives four times the pixels there are in HD.

Is there a solution?

It is too late now to go back to the free to air networks and force them to provide adequate main channel content on their HD channels. Now that they are out there with new channels, you can’t just turn around and take that off them.

It is possible that ratings will be affected by the lack of main channel content in HD. Only ratings will drive a change in the situation if the networks are to remain with three channels. Perhaps they could incorporate late night HD encores of prime time main channel shows, replay them during the day (subject to classification restrictions) or have a night of HD catch ups from main channel content. Maybe the more that Seven and Nine in particular see viewers angry about losing main channel content in HD, they may consider acting on it – especially if ratings are being affected.

The only other possibility is that Seven, Nine and Ten are allowed a 3^rd SD channel, like what the ABC has. That way they could have three channels while also providing the main channel in HD, although the HD channel would have to be at 720p instead of 1080i they are now. If this ever happened, it is unlikely Ten would move ONE HD away from HD as they have a big commitment to the HD sports channel. As for the ABC, they have already indicated that, while the arrangement of channels is not ideal for everyone, it is the best they can offer with the bandwidth they have until they review the situation in 2013.

Once analogue is gone everywhere by 2014, we may then see the main channels return to HD. But, unless HD take up is very high, the networks will remain in a position where they must keep their main and highest rating channel in SD so that 100% of the audience can see it. To avoid this scenario, and the possibility of having main channels in SD for many more years to come, legislation should be put in place to ensure that all digital TV receiving equipment form now on come with a digital tuner capable of receiving HD TV, as well as the latest standards in digital compression technology which should hopefully allow all of the digital channels to be in HD in the future.

However, if we continue to allow excessive overlaps between technologies – like we have with the switch from analogue to digital, the technology itself risks being out of date by the time the transition is over. The role out of the National Broadband network could well see free to air TV delivered by internet in the future, which could mean no limits, other than licensing and legislation, to the channels, content and quality of content TV networks can deliver.　

Notes:

* Last figures for digital take up were 75%. It has also been reported, that roughly 90% of the population who have gone digital also have access to HD, which equates to about two thirds overall.
* Ratings shares used based on hypothetical average week, loosely based on OzTam 5 city metro weeks 37-40 shares.

The launch of 7mate signals the death of 7HD. Just like ONE spelt the end of any Ten content in HD, and ABC News 24 killed ABC HD, 7mate means no more regular Seven main channel programming being seen in HD for now.

Kiss goodbye to being able to see Packed to the Rafters, City Homicide, Parenthood, Covert Affairs, The X Factor, Home and Away, Sunday Night, Bones, Castle, Criminal Minds… the list goes on… in HD.

Losing content from Seven’s main channel in HD has got to be a blow to anyone who has gone out and bought a HD TV or PVR in recent years.

Sure – 7mate is a new channel that will bring some extra choices to our nightly TV viewing, but it comes at the expense of losing some of our best rating shows from our number one network (Seven is still only just ahead of Nine in that regard) being in HD.

Most people who have a HD TV will chose to watch whatever free to air main channel content they can in HD instead of standard definition. But now, with 7mate, you have, for the most part, a collection of second rate programming that is deemed unable to rate well enough on the main channel.

While most of the prime time programming for 7mate is yet to be released, the information that is known so far sees only a hand full of programming that will truly make use of being in HD. Interestingly, Thursday night from 8.30 looks like being the Sci Fi night – like it was on 10HD a few years ago – while Friday and Saturdays feature heavily with documentaries. Sci Fi and documentaries usually both well deserved to be seen in HD.

But for the hours outside of prime time, the programming is an absolute insult for a HD channel. Like when 9HD started showing classics like I Dream of Jeannie and Bewitched prior to the launch of GO last year, 7mate’s overnight and day time programming is essentially loaded with old shows that were made long before digital TV was even thought of. Many of which will not even be in widescreen, let alone HD quality unless they have been digitally remastered – which I severely doubt.

I realise 7mate is being set up as its own channel and brand, but it would be good if they could use the dead zones of overnight and part of day time programming to offer Seven prime time content in HD. Even as a late night catch up or something to watch other than infomercials the idea would work.

It is early days, and like all new channels, the programming will evolve over time. Hopefully the older shows that fill the schedule will slowly make way for newer content and the channel will make better use of the fact it is in HD. Hopefully some of those gaps in the prime time program will be filled with shows made in HD or recent movies which will benefit from being aired on a HD channel.

It is sad though, to be losing HD broadcasts of main channels for the sake of a few niche extra digital channels in HD. The same will happen to Nine soon, leaving SBS as the only free to air broadcaster with a HD simulcast of its main channel.

All a result of a poorly thought out system, made worse by the added delays of switching analogue off and by the desire to have as many free to air channels as the digital bandwidth will allow without any thought of quality.

RIP 7HD.

When Ten launched ONE HD in March 2009, it spelt the end of Ten’s main channel content being seen in HD. In July 2010, when ABC News 24 was launched, the same was the case for ABC1 shows being seen on ABC HD. Now it is about to happen with Seven and Nine and their respective high definition channels as Seven launches 7mate late September and Nine rush to launch their third channel at about the same time. SBS will then remain as the only free to air broadcaster with an HD channel simulcasting main channel content.

This all poses the question of the short term future of HD in Australia. With HD TVs becoming cheaper and more readily available, it seems the free to air networks are going backwards in delivering HD content as it is lesser watched secondary channels ending up in HD as opposed to the main channels which are still watched by the most people.

Each network only have to show 20 hours a week of true HD content – which equates to just 3 hours a day. Easily met by any of the broadcasters just with the amount of regular shows already in HD.

Unfortunately, it is the rules that free to air TV is stuck with during the transition from digital to analogue that are holding back the networks. The main content of any free to air network must be presented on both their analogue channel as well as one of the standard definition digital channels. That means – if they want to have their main channel content on their HD channel as well, that the HD and one standard definition channel will end up with the same content. Given the commercial networks are only allowed to have two standard definition channels and one high definition channel, any network that chose to keep the high definition channel the same as the standard can really only have two channels.

Launching a third channel ultimately breaks the standard / high definition simulcasts. When Ten launch their third channel in 2011, they will no longer offer a standard definition simulcast of ONE HD. As Seven and Nine launch their third channels, their HD channels will no longer be simulcasts of their main channel.

This could mean that shows made in HD – such as Underbelly on Nine – could be shown on their HD channel at a different time to their main channel but also opens up the possibility of some shows actually made in HD not being seen in HD on free to air at all. FOX8 make a big deal of this fact in promoting Glee – already seen on Ten – as being shown first in HD on FOX8HD.

One possible solution to the problem is to temporarily allow the commercial networks a 4^th channel – which would mean all three of their channels could be presented in standard definition leaving the HD channel able to simulcast the main channel – or at least be showing what is available in HD on the main channel at the same time as it is on the main channel while perhaps being allowed only to break away when there is not a program on the main channel made in HD.

The possibility of fourth digital channels has been raised as part of sports anti-siphoning discussions giving the networks greater ability to cover sport over their digital channels without interfering with the channels‘ theme or programming. ABC already carry four distinct channels, but they do so at the expense of the resolution of the HD channel and by lowering bit rates on others.

The problem with themed or niche channels is it limits their ability to remain flexible in terms of being able to provide extra coverage for major news events or sport. 7TWO – as a channel without any real theme as such – has been used to provide extended or special news services for Seven as well as encores of main channel shows, while 7mate from the outset is said to contain some sport.

Nine with GO do not have the same flexibility as Seven do, and if the new channel is themed as classics or crime, there will be even less flexibility. Sure – these channels can break theme from time to time if required, but they risk alienating the very audience they will build. For example – if you turn onto ONE HD, you expect to always see sports. On a classics channel, you expect to always see classics. On GO – you’d expect to see regular GO programming and so on.

It is still over three years until analogue is completely switched off everywhere. Not until then will we see any free to air network – commercial or not – make full use of their digital channels knowing that those channels will be available to everyone., including possibly reverting their HD channels back to showing the main channel content – after all it is the main channels people still mostly watch.

Possibly, once analogue is gone completely, all free to air channels might end up in HD. Let’s hope so – otherwise other sources will quickly take over as being the main providers of HD content in Australia – especially as the National Broadband Network rolls out, and as Foxtel keep adding to their collection of HD channels - while free to air TV will be left behind with only a few niche or themed HD channels not carrying their networks’ best content.

In July 2010, when the ABC launches its new 24 hour news channel – ABC News 24 – there will no longer be ABC programming content from ABC1 seen in HD. This is because the new news channel will be using the ABC’s HD channel.

The ABC from then on will have four distinct channels – ABC1, ABC2, ABC3 and ABC News 24. But only the news channel will be seen in HD. The ABC will review this arrangement in 2013 close to the switching off of analogue TV when all viewers will have digital TV.

The lack of ABC content in HD is similar to Ten’s situation with ONE occupying their HD channel. When Seven and Nine launch third channels later this year or next, the question again will be raised as to what of the HD content on their main channel. Both Seven and Nine do air a number of shows made in HD (moreso Nine) which would not be seen at all if their third channel becomes a full time unique channel like 7TWO and GO.

This all poses the question of the short term future of free to air HD TV in Australia. With HD TVs becoming cheaper and more readily available, it seems the networks are going backwards in delivering HD content. They only have to show 20 hours a week of true HD content – which Seven and Nine easily meet with regular programming while there is enough sports in HD on ONE to meet Ten’s requirement. Note – in the case of channel Nine, Nine 3D trial is not a full time new channel.

Unfortunately, it is the rules that free to air TV is stuck with during the transition from digital to analogue that are holding back the networks. The main content of any free to air network must be presented on both their analogue channel as well as one of the standard definition digital channels. That means – if they want to have their main channel content on their HD channel as well, that the HD and one standard definition channel will end up with the same content. Given the commercial networks are only allowed to have two standard definition channels and one high definition channel, any network that chose to keep the high definition channel the same as the standard can really only have two channels.

Launching a third channel ultimately breaks the standard / high definition simulcasts. When Ten launch their third channel in 2011, they will no longer offer a standard definition simulcast of ONE HD. When Seven and Nine launch their third channels, their HD channels will no longer be simulcasts of their main channel. This could mean that shows made in HD – such as Underbelly on Nine – might be shown on their HD channel at a different time to their main channel. They could even premiere shows on the HD channel first which air on the main channel later.

My guess is that both Seven and Nine’s third channels will initially be HD break aways like what they used to do in 2007 and 2008 so as not to fragment the audience further between analogue, standard definition digital and high definition digital. As it stands, the networks are still coming to terms with the impact of their secondary digital channels which have effectively reduced their main channel audience by as much as 15% while the overall network audience remains much the same. While the choice is good for the consumer, it is a tricky situation in managing advertising between the channels and what the networks can charge advertisers for ad space.

One idea of how to manage the HD problem would be to simulcast any show made in HD on the HD channel while offering alternative programming at times when the content on the main channel is not in HD. Given Ten are not launching their third channel until 2011, it would come as no surprise if Seven and Nine also hold off. Although the advent of Nine 3D could see Nine take a different direction. There is already talk of Underbelly 3D for Nine for example, while Ten have reportedly been questioning the availability of spectrum in the future to offer 3D broadcasts.

It is still three and a half years until analogue is completely switched off everywhere. Not until then will we see any free to air network – commercial or not – make full use of their digital channels knowing that those channels will be available to everyone. It would actually be a good idea for the future of HD TV in Australia to legislate so that all set top boxes and digital receivers in Australia by 2014 can receive HD channels, MPEG-4 signals and maybe even be 3D ready (although MPEG-4 should be enough for 3D).

Seven is the first of the commercials to offer three different programs at the same time albeit for only one hour per week in Sydney (and Brisbane according to TV guide on Yahoo).

At Sunday (April 18) at 10am, Seven Sydney was showing a documentary called the Bone Yard (about old planes that have been decommissioned), while 7TWO were showing their usual Sunday morning children’s programming. 7HD was showing AFL Game Day – which can be seen on Seven’s main channel in the AFL states.

That meant – that for one hour – the Seven network in fact showed three different programs at once thus demonstrating that the network is technically ready to run three channels. At the same time, though, PRIME NSW were showing AFL Game Day on both their main and HD channel, with the Bone Yard documentary following. 7TWO on Prime of course, showed the same as 7TWO from Sydney.

If you weren’t flicking channels at the time, or referring to internet TV guides, you would not know, as the printed guides certainly make no mention of the variation of programming on 7HD for that hour. Only some internet TV guides showed this programming. Maybe some EPGs may have, although at our place, 7HD’s EPG showed the Bone Yard.

Prior to digital channels GO and 7TWO, both Seven and Nine used to use their HD channels to broadcast, not only break away programming, but AFL content into NRL states and sometimes, vice versa. In the case of Nine Sydney for example, this meant you could chose whether to watch the NRL Footy show on the main channel or the AFL Footy show on 9HD. 9HD also carried Footy Classified at the same time as Melbourne airs the show at 10.30 Mondays.

Many viewers – mostly AFL fans in northern states have complained as to why the AFL shows cannot be shown live into NRL markets now that we have digital multi channelling. Back when GO launched in August 2009, Nine stated that they were technically unable show content on 9HD and would not consider using GO to show the opposing Footy Shows. They further said that the problem would be resolved some time in 2010 when they would be technically able to broadcast three shows at once on their digital platform.

Now we are almost half way into 2010, we know for sure that Nine will be launching a third channel this year, as will Ten. While the content of the new Nine channel is not yet revealed (most likely still in planning) there is the possibility that the channel could carry AFL and NRL programming into their opposing states. Given that their will soon be a second Sydney AFL team and the AFL are trying to grow the sports’ northern fan base, it would make sense to offer northern AFL fans AFL programming at the same time it is seen in the AFL states by using the new channel. This would surely be better than having late night replays as is the case now.

As for Seven, there has been the suggestion that they will launch a third channel; in 2010, but, like was the case leading up to 7TWO’s surprise launch late last year, Seven have not confirmed or even stated anything in relation to their plans.

That one hour on Sunday morning, however, demonstrates that Seven are capable of broadcasting three shows at once and makes the network the first of the commercials to broadcast three different programs at once. Ten have also confirmed they are technically ready for their third channel to launch later in 2010.

Due to the fact that each network is only able to have 2 standard and one high definition channel, both Seven and Nine’s third channels will take over their HD channel, while Ten’s third channel will replace the standard definition simulcast of ONE HD.

It’s amazing to think that this time last year – just 12 months ago – multi channelling in Australia was limited to just ABC2, SBS NEWS and part time HD break aways from Seven, Nine and Ten. The SBS NEWS channel essentially played nothing more than non stop foreign news bulletins – the same news shown now on SBS ONE and TWO. The number of free to air channels was 7 full time and 3 part time channels.

In the last 12 months, we have seen Ten launch ONE HD, SBS switch from SBS NEWS to SBS TWO, Nine launch GO – the most successful multi-channel to date, and Seven launch 7TWO. In December, the ABC launched their 3^rd channel ABC3. The channel count now is 11 full time channels.

In 2010, we will see more channels added. ABC last month announced their decision to launch a 24 hour news service using the ABC HD signal, while both Nine and Ten announced new channels as part of their 2010 programming package. Seven, when 7TWO was launched made a vague indication to the prospect of a 3^rd channel but nothing more has been said.

ABC’s new news channel (which I’ll call ABC4 for now – the name may end up being ABC NEWS or NEWS TV (like they already have News Radio)) will be the 4^th full time channel for the ABC, but it will come at the expense of ABC HD – which currently is a full time simulcast of ABC1 allowing a few shows to be seen in HD.

Both Nine and Ten are well into their plans for their respective third channels, but neither will be up and running prior to June 30. Now, it has come out that SBS are also looking into a 3^rd channel (I’ll call it SBS THREE for now) which would be news based. That would mean that both the ABC and SBS would offer free to air full time news channels.

Assuming that Seven also launches a third channel in 2010 (and why wouldn’t they if arch rival Nine do, and Ten have one up as well), the total number of free to air digital channels will be 16 by the end of the year – with all 5 free to air networks having 3 channels, other than the ABC with 4.

Add to that, community TV which starts going digital in March (in Sydney, it will be digital channel 44), then some people will have 17 free to air digital channels.

According to the advanced TV guides, there is absolutely nothing at all on 7HD in the week starting October 11 – that is, 7HD will simply be a simulcast of channel 7 with no break aways. That’s not to say they may put on a few last minute movies like they have in recent weeks, but at this stage, nothing is programmed for that week.

That could mean they are pooling their resources now to get ready for their new digital channel which will be counted as part of the ratings system from November 22.

Prior to the soft launch of GO!, 9HD break away programming was effectively shut down with no alternative break away programming at any time. Seven could be doing the same, and may also be planning a soft launch from as early as October 18. If they do, any programs they show on the new channel will count towards the ratings of the shows on channel Seven.

Channel 9 have indicated, that since the launch of GO, they are unable to offer additional 9HD break aways until 2010 due to technical reasons. The story maybe similar with Seven and 7HD once their new digital channel is launched. There already is talk of a possible third digital channel for Seven for 2010. Also, Ten have indicated they are looking into the possibility of a third channel as well – that would mean that ONE would either no longer be full time HD or no longer available on channel 12 as an SD signal.

[Updated] Here’s how channel 7 is looking for the biggest week in TV since the first week of the ratings year in February.

1. Monday Sept 28, 8.30pm. After months of advertising and sneak peaks, Flash Forward is finally here. The show centres around the premise of every body in the human race losing 2 minutes and 17 seconds out of their life. Each person sees a glimpse of their lives six months from now. When they wake up, everyone is left wondering if what they saw will actually happen.

2. Monday Sept 28, 9.30pm. Mercy is on. Mercy is a new medical drama centred around 3 nurses who navigate the daily traumas and personal dramas inside the hospital and out.

3. Still on Mondays, Boston Legal will no longer be shown from Sept 28. At 10.30, a 6 part NBC reality series called Momma’s Boys will air. Following that at 11.30 will be Style by Jury.

4. Tuesday Sept 29 – late. At 10.30, following All Saints is My Shocking Story, followed by a repeat of Scrubs at 11.30.

5. Wednesdays. City Homicide’s new home is Wednesday night at 8.30. That is followed by Criminal Minds at 9.30 which is being promoted as a “sexy new timeslot”. At 10.30 programs are Family Guy, followed by American Dad at 11 then Louis Theroux at 11.30.

6. 7.30pm Factuals. Here is the summary:

Sundays: Border Security then The Force: Behind the Line
Mondays: from Oct 5: Highway Patrol then Destroyed in Seconds
Tuesdays: RSPCA Animal Rescue then Last Chance Surgery.
Wednesdays: from Oct 7: Border Security then Medical Emergency

7. 7HD [updated]. Although you won’t see them in all TV guides, 7HD is currently playing movies at varying times most likely in an attempt to bring in some extra ratings for the network just like what GO is currently doing for 9. Check EPGs and internet guides for movies regularly as they seem to change a number of times before airing!!! To avoid embarrassment, I’m not listing them anymore. I note last night (Friday Sept 25) they actaully advertised a 7HD movie during Deal or No Deal yet the movie was not listed in any of the advanced guides I use to compile posts like these.

When 7HD began on Oct 15 2007, one of the channels’ original objectives was to show movies at least 3 times a week. Is this a hint of what is to come? A movie based new channel? Maybe, maybe not.  No announcement right now, but if the new channel is to start on Oct 4, today should be the day to release the details to the media. Or 7 might opt to advertise on their own network first. Stay tuned.

8. Thursdays. October 1: Movie – The Narnia Chronicles. No Gary Unmarried at 7.30 anymore.

And from Thursday Oct 8, the line up is:

7.30 Ghost Whisperer fast tracked season 5.

8.30 Beuaty and the Geek Australia

9.30 Amazing Race season 15 fast tracked.

Some information here from Tv Tonight and Media Spy. Programming subject to late change.

Is 7HD about to become the new home for free to air movies? Or is channel 7 just killing time before launching a new channel?

For the week commencing October 4th, the 7HD program is filled with 5 movies plus an episode of Better Homes and Gardens at 5pm Saturday October 10. The traditional 3 hour midday 7HD breakaway is no longer as of that week. That means the last day time 7HD break away will be Friday October 2.

Again, this shift in 7HD programming could mean preparation for 7’s new digital channel, but that is, of course, just speculation.

Please be advised that the 7HD programming has changed again, and the movie titles, dates and times have changed. Best to check your EPG or internet guide closer to the days to be sure. And if you have a PVR, be VERY wary recording off channel 70 (7HD) at prime time in case you cop an unscheduled movie instead of regular programming.

Here is the list of 7HD movies coming up – UPDATED, BUT STILL MAY NOT BE ACCURATE AND SUBJECT TO LATE CHANGES.

September:
Sat 26th:6.30pm: Lemony Snicket’s A Series of Unfortunate Events (originally scheduled for Oct 4)
Sat 26th: 8.30pm: Red Dawn (also originally scheduled for Oct 4)
Sun 27th 6.30pm: Chicken Little – no longer shows in the Yahoo TV Guide
Tue 29th 9.30pm: Starship Troopers – no longer on either.
Wed 30th 7.30pm: Chicken Run - as per yahoo guide. (was the Mighty Ducks)
 
October:
Thur 1st: 8.30pm: A Touch of Frost: In the Public Interest

Tue 6th 9.30pm: Rumble in the Bronx – no longer shows in advanced guides
Wed 7th 7.30pm: Hercules premiere
Wed 7th 9.30pm: Sin City – no longer on

Thur 8th 8.30pm: A Touch of Frost: Hidden Truth

That week is school holidays pretty well every where. The following week, all states are back at school except for NSW who go back a week later. School holidays may have been an ideal time to put on more programming for the kids.

While I am all for alternative programming on secondary channels, I do not agree with the HD channel being used part time and during prime time to show just a few movies. The issue with the programming of the movies is that regular prime time viewing cannot be seen in HD. If a show is made in HD, it should be shown in HD – that is what the HD channel is for. Obviously movies should always be shown in HD as they are made in HD, but not at the expense of regular prime time programming which will include City Homicide on Wednesdays at 8.30, pretty well all of 7’s Sunday night line up as well as All Saints on Tuesday nights.

At this stage, 7HD ratings are not recorded separately so we will not know how many people are watching any of these movies. The only hint will be if any of the 7 programming at the times the movies are on increase in ratings to the point where the increase appears unnatural or cannot be explained simply by weekly fluctuations – like what we saw with channel 9 when GO launched for the first two weeks, before GO shows were recorded separately in the ratings.

ADDED SEPT 25: If they keep on changing the program for these movies and given that they appear in very few TV guides and are not promoted anywhere, who is even going to know they are on? I bet out of 100 people reading this post, that only 1 or 2 may consider watching some of these movies. No doubt the same on similar posts in other forums. Don’t get the logic unless it is 7 testing things for their new channel. Still, best to test during the day and have prime time shows in HD. The new series of Amazing Race would have been made in HD yet there will be a movie on 7HD Thur Oct 8 when Amazing Race will air on 7.

Programming information from Media Spy and subject to late change.

From Monday next week (June 1^st), 7HD is extending its weekday afternoon break away programming by an extra 90 minutes. 7HD therefore will be showing break away programming from 12 midday until 4.30pm where 7HD resumes simulcast ing the main channel.

Programming from 12-3pm varies from day to day, but the additional shows after 3pm for next week are:

3pm: Oban Star Racers – children’s show

3:30pm: Super Rocket Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! – children’s show

4pm: New Idea TV – a repeat of the same show airing at 3pm on the main channel.

Break away programming also continues after midnight week nights, usually for just over 2 hours. This programming brings 7HD closer to the hours that 9HD currently offer. 9HD’s break away programming includes Seinfeld, Just Shoot Me, Without a Trace, Bewitched and I Dream of Jeannie and starts at 11am on weekdays, also finishing at 4.30. 9HD’s break away is believed to be a trial run of their new digital channel rumoured to be called “GO99”.

Ironically, it was 7 who had the most HD break away prior to 10’s launch of ONE. The move to extend the break away to 4.30 simply re-instates what their daytime break away was before they cut back earlier this year.

In my opinion, 7HD should offer programming not for children at least from 3.30pm to offer fre to air viewers greater alternatives.