| Nine HD |
 |
| Launched |
March 17, 2008 |
| Owned by |
PBL Media |
| Picture format |
1080i (HDTV) |
| Slogan |
We Heart TV
You're Watching Nine HD |
| Country |
 Australia |
| Broadcast area |
Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane,
Darwin, Adelaide, Perth,
Regional QLD, Southern New South Wales, Regional Victoria,
Tasmania |
| Website |
ninemsn.com.au |
| Availability |
| Terrestrial |
| HD Digital |
Channel 90 |
|
Channel 80 (via WIN) |
| Cable |
| Foxtel HD+ |
Channel 209 |
Nine HD is an Australian television channel, owned by PBL Media, that launched on March 17, 2008.[1] The channel is available to high definition digital television viewers in metropolitan areas through a number of owned-and-operated and affiliate stations. Nine HD simulcasts blocks of programming from the Nine Network, in addition to time-shifted news, movies, drama and entertainment programs.[1]
History
The beginning
Nine HD was officially announced on September 27, 2007, to replace the Nine Network's existing high definition service, a simulcast of its standard definition and analogue services, through the use of an amendment to the Broadcasting Services Act 1992 in 2006. The Broadcasting Legislation Amendment (Digital television) Act 2006 permitted television networks to launch digital multichannels, provided that they are broadcast exclusively in high definition.[2]
Although originally expected to be the first free-to-air commercial television channel introduced to metropolitan areas since 1988,[3] the surprise launch of rival Seven HD, on October 15, 2007, one month before transmissions were scheduled to begin[4] meant that Nine HD was not the first high definition multichannel in Australia. Following this, plans for a November launch in 2007 were postponed until 2008. On March 10, 2008, PBL Media announced that it would launch the channel on March 17, 2008 at 10:30pm, with its first program, Nightline.[5][1]
Opening night
Nine HD officially commenced transmission on March 17, 2008 from PBL Media's four metropolitan owned-and-operated stations, TCN Sydney, GTV Melbourne, QTQ Brisbane and NTD Darwin, in addition to WIN Corporation's two metropolitan stations NWS Adelaide, and STW Perth as well as on its regional stations RTQ Queensland, WIN southern New South Wales, VTV Victoria and TVT Tasmania.[1] The first official program on launch night began at 10:30pm, National Nine News's now-deceased late-night news program Nightline.[1] This was followed by military drama E-Ring at 11:00pm, with the movie Unanswered Questions marking the end of the first night of exclusive transmission for Nine HD after its conclusion at 2am.[6]
Programming
Nine HD simulcasts most programming from the Nine Network.[1] It also features new exclusive programming such as documentaries, movies and series including E-Ring, The Mountain, Related, Invasion, Four Kings, The Comeback, The War at Home, Twenty Good Years, Happy Hour, Big Day, Hot Properties and simulcasts The AFL Footy Show and Footy Classified live in all markets were Nine HD is available.
Availability
Nine HD is available exclusively in 1080i high definition from PBL Media's four metropolitan owned-and-operated stations, TCN Sydney, GTV Melbourne, QTQ Brisbane and NTD Darwin. Nine HD programming is also carried via WIN Corporation's two metropolitan stations NWS Adelaide, and STW Perth as well as on its regional stations RTQ Queensland, WIN southern New South Wales, VTV Victoria and TVT Tasmania.[1] It is not known whether the Nine Network's other regional affiliates, NBN Television and Imparja Television, will carry the new multichannel.
References
- ^ a b c d e f g "Nine HD Channel Media Release", PBL Media (2008-03-17). Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
- ^ "High definition broadcasting requirement", Australian Communications and Media Authority (2007-06-13). Retrieved on 2007-09-17.
- ^ "Gyngell to lead network revival", Herald Sun (2007-09-27). Retrieved on 2007-09-27.
- ^ "Seven's new multi-channellling is on-air", Seven Media Group (2007-10-16). Retrieved on 2007-12-01.
- ^ Knox, David (2008-03-10). "http://www.tvtonight.com.au/2008/03/nine-hd-launches-march-17-to-be-sure-to Nine HD launches March 17, to be sure, to be sure...]". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved on 2008-03-10.
- ^ Knox, David (2008-03-17). "9HD guide: Invasion, Taken, E-Ring". tvtonight.com.au. Retrieved on 2008-03-18.
External links
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