The head of BBC HD, Danielle Nagler, has suggested that people aren't looking for nature shows and sport in high definition, but actually want family entertainment and comedies.
Nagler – speaking at the HD Masters Conference – praised the likes of Sky and Freesat in propelling HD take-up in the UK, expressing her delight that HD televisions are 'alongside baked beans, olive oil and low energy light bulbs as the consumer goods that are bucking the recession'
But it was Nagler's view on what the UK want to watch in sparkly high definition that will perhaps most surprise, with Nagler insisting that the traditional strong-holds of HD broadcast are not necessarily hitting the right notes.
Jaw-dropping or pant-wetting?
"Contrary to expectations - which suggest the great appetite in HD is for sport, for films, for jaw-dropping natural history - our research shows that what viewers want in HD are the programmes that they love to watch in SD," said Nagler.
"Topping the list are documentaries, modern dramas, Saturday night family entertainment, and science and technology programmes, with soaps, news and comedies not far behind.
"This is what we might describe as the bread, butter and jam of everyday television, and ties in with what we are seeing in terms of programme performance on BBC HD."
TechRadar can't help but feel that showing off the African Sahara in all its majesty is an easier sell than Dawn French in HD, but ho hum.
Your comments (9) Click to add a new comment
tech89
June 26th 2009
9. I agree 100% with monkey magic. With HD it's the visual detail we want. A comedy in HD is tha same as in SD as it's humour and we listen to comprehend the jokes. In movies and nature and sports we seek the visual detail as we watch fast action/high detailed entertainment.
Alert a moderator
monkeymagic
June 24th 2009
8. I've had access to BBC HD for about 6 months now and i've been less than impressed with the content i've seen. They constantly run 2nd rate "comedy" sitcoms that are dreadfull, not only do they not belong in HD but i'd argue should'nt be on TV full stop. I for one would prefer Sport, Movies and good nature series' that take advantage of HD quality but i guess i'm in the minority. Oh well, back to watching In The Night Garden at 7 o'clock in the evening??
Alert a moderator
uncleook
June 24th 2009
7. It's really simply; we want EVERYTHING in HD.
Alert a moderator
watcherzero
June 24th 2009
6. However having seen US Cable with colour quality and picture quality that makes our SD look like Super HD I feel they could really use it for their entertainment.
Alert a moderator
tech89
June 24th 2009
5. I would never get any pleasure seeing Ant n' dec in HD or any other shows like talent shows, etc. Movies and sports and nature benefit hugely from HD and that should be the reason people buy the service. So the bbc wants "all star family fortunes" in HD? What a waste and a joke.
Alert a moderator
watcherzero
June 24th 2009
4. You dont see the quality increase unless the object in question is small (like a distant nature shot) colourful and highly detailed with fine patterning, or fast moving (like a ball), otherwise quality improvement is tiny and only benefits huge tv owners.
Alert a moderator
zero_cool
June 23rd 2009
3. Ant n' Dec do look good in HD though.
Alert a moderator
nmcelroy
June 23rd 2009
2. I totally agree! I bet most of the people surveyed haven't even seen true HD in action, so wouldn't know what kind of TV is going to benefit the most.
Alert a moderator
weezer
June 23rd 2009
1. Isn't this a bit like asking a tramp what kind of drink he'd like: alcoholic or non-alcoholic?
Of course the great unwashed will want to see their usual programmes - not sure if they even understand the question.
Alert a moderator
Tell us what you think
You need to Log in or register to post comments