Today marks the start of a new era for BBC Two as BBC Two HD launches. HD take-up is growing rapidly – as of January 2013 over 12m homes (nearly half of UK homes) were able to watch in HD, with 20m (80%) expected by end 2015 and I’m thrilled that BBC Two HD is being launched as the next step on the BBC’s HD journey. The channel has always been committed to high quality, engaging and ambitious programmes and now we can show them at their very best.
From Paul Hollywood’s new series, Bread, to a major new documentary series looking at the inner workings of the NHS, Keeping Britain Alive, viewers will now have a dedicated channel showing these programmes in glorious HD.
BBC Two has enjoyed a real resurgence in drama and I’m delighted that BBC Two HD will be showing forthcoming dramas The Fall, a thrilling new crime serial starring Gillian Anderson, and Paula Milne's three-part serial about marriage, power and politics The Politician’s Husband, with David Tennant and Emily Watson in the lead roles. Later this year we have the adaptation of Hilary Mantel’s prize-winning Wolf Hall, starring Mark Rylance as Thomas Cromwell.
We have an exciting summer of sports and live events to look forward to with Wimbledon, Glastonbury rugby and Diamond League athletics all being shown at their spectacular best in HD.
Other forthcoming highlights include James May’s Man Lab and the Tudor season, as well as long-standing favourites such as Mock The Week, QI and Springwatch.
BBC One HD is already much loved by audiences, and I hope that BBC Two HD will be as popular with viewers, enabling them to see the very best of BBC Two looking at its very best.
Janice Hadlow is Controller, BBC Two
Director of Distribution Alix Pryde blogged about the launch of BBC Two HD and how to access the channel last week.
For further information on viewing BBC Two HD, there are also answers to frequently asked questions here.
