Sky has announced that it’ll be broadcasting all of the BBC’s HD channels that have been set up for the London 2012 Olympic Games.
The BBC will be running a total of 48 new channels – from BBC Olympics 1 to BBC Olympics 24 – which will be available in both standard definition (SD) and high definition (HD) 1080i.
Sky will be broadcasting all of these channels free, no matter what type of subscription you have. No word just yet on exactly where these channels will appear on the Sky EPG.
In a post on BBC Sport, Roger Mosey says that the streams can be integrated into a broadcaster’s programme guide (which would make remote recording a piece of cake) or can be accessible through the BBC’s Red Button service.
The post also reveals that there have been discussions with “cable and satellite providers on a non-exclusive basis,” so we’d expect to hear of an announcement from Virgin Media at some point.
Freeview viewers will be able to benefit “at peak” from an extra two channels which will sit on Channel 301 and 302, alongside BBC One and BBC Three, which is where the majority of the Olympics action will be broadcast.
The BBC will also be making all of the 24 streams available for viewing on its BBC Sport and 2012 websites, so if you’ve not got Sky but your broadband line can handle it, you can always watch online. Coverage broadcast on BBC One and BBC Three will of course be available to watch on BBC iPlayer, if you want to catch up on the beach volleyball or shooting later in the day.
More info on channel numbers for Sky and Virgin Media getting the channels as and when we hear it.
Update: Freesat has got in touch with us to say that it too will be broadcasting all of the BBC’s standard def and HD Olympics channels. As well as this, Freesat and Freesat HD viewers will be able to access live streams through the BBC Red Button service.
Managing Director of Freesat, Emma Scott said in a statement: “We’re totally delighted to be able to offer Freesat viewers these great BBC HD services. It is going to be an amazing summer of sport and the London 2012 Olympics in HD will truly be a sight to behold. This is the latest great example of the quality and choice in TV programmes available to Freesat customers, all subscription-free.”
As with Sky, no word yet on where the channels will sit on the Freesat EPGs.
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