It might just be one wing of the BBC not knowing what another wing is doing , but a report on the Beeb's website says that ‘The BBC is among European broadcasters due to broadcast matches in HD standard for those with the suitable equipment to receive it.’
It is tucked away in a story on how top trade journal Screen Digest reckons that there could well be a shortage of HDTV decoder chips for tellies. It doesn't say how the Beeb will screen the programmes in HD but we are guessing that a slot on the Astra satellite – which will be picked up by Sky HD system owners - is likely as is screening the games though cable channel Telewest.
‘European players are struggling to get HD-capable set-top-boxes in sufficient numbers for consumers,’ says the study. The reports is however upbeat about the prospects for HDTV with analyst Vincent Letang saying ‘The World Cup in Germany was supposed to be the perfect kick-start for HD in Europe and its full thrust will be partly missed, but this does not jeopardise the introduction of HDTV.’
The report said Europe had 2m ‘HD-ready’ households by the end of 2005 and by 2010 there will be more than 50m HDTV sets in place.
