Seven has become the first free-to-air broadcaster in the country to launch a dedicated high definition channel.
Seven HD broadcast for two hours last night in its first major move to multi-channelling. While both the Nine and Ten networks have signalled their intention to establish HD channels, Seven is the first to launch a service.
The network will schedule programming on its second channel in late primetime and across weekends as part of a strategy leading to full-strength launch of a second Channel Seven in a few weeks.
Network Ten will launch its high definition channel in December with 50 hours of programming per week not on the main channel.
Seven Network CEO David Leckie said: “Our introduction of a nightly two hour channel and different programmes across daytime complementing our primary Seven channel is the first step towards a second Channel Seven before Christmas and a third Channel Seven in the coming fifteen months.”
Seven’s second channel was launched with the network premiere of the movie 25th Hour last night. The network is planning the schedule of first release movies on Monday, Wednesday and Friday nights. On Tuesday and Thursday, Seven will schedule a first-run high definition US series “The Grid”. On weekend daytimes, Seven’s sports schedule on its primary channel will be complemented by children’s and family programming through its output agreement with The Walt Disney Company.
A complete primetime schedule for the second Channel Seven will be launched in the coming weeks. The on-air presentation, marketing and promotion will be unveiled to coincide with the launch of the complete schedule for Seven HD.
