The One Show and The Open go into High Definition

For those who missed it, last night saw the debut of The One Show in High Definition (HD).

It has been a challenging process of migration. As loyal viewers will know, it is a busy show with lots of different types of subjects covered, and many different production teams compiling the reports that you see.



The sofa needed an upgrade too, although we didn't quite anticipate when we started on discussions that by the time we completed the move its usual occupants would look so radically different.

Yesterday's programme was a great debut for a fast-moving show. The studio looked bright and clean, and I really appreciated some of the extra detail on the films, in particular the items on high school proms and wrestling.

The archive shots from Live Aid made me realise how far what we can do in television has come - and I hope that seeing your favourite early evening magazine programme routinely in HD will add to the enjoyment.

Later this week there's another first - The Open golf in HD. We've broadcast the US Masters for a couple of years now, and those who enjoy the sport have been able to see the detail of one of the world's most lovely championship golf courses.

The Open is of course a different beast - always more rugged and windswept as befits a links course - but I hope that in some ways the benefits that HD can bring will be even more pronounced: Being able to see the ball as it flies above the fairway through the grey skies for example.

So from one point of view, blue skies could be a bit of a disappointment, though I'm sure whatever the weather does between Thursday and Sunday, the sight of the best golfers in the world battling it out together will be enhanced by HD.

Finally, you'll notice some changes in our regular schedule over the coming weeks. We're working to bring you even more HD content, and also to find ways to offer children's programming more effectively.

We'll be on air for longer at the weekends - when we know many of you spend most time with your HD TV - and we'd really welcome your views on how the changes in schedule work for you.

Danielle Nagler is controller of BBC HD.

The One Show continues on BBC One and BBC HD at 7pm each weeknight, and if you want to see last night's episode you can catch it on iPlayer in Standard Definition or High Definition for the next six days.