Tuesday, 8 September 2009

BBC HD: Autumn lineup

Tuesday, 8 September 2009
The BBC's HD channel have confirmed what series they'll be showing or simul-casting in high-def this autumn. These include: the return of gameshow Hole In The Wall (with Anton Du Beke replacing Dale Winton); a new series of political comedy The Thick Of It; Shaun The Sheep; new comedy Home Time; agricultural series Countryfile; drama Waterloo Road; series 2 of Beautiful People; children's show Gigglebiz (starring Mr Tumble), the seventh series of Strictly Come Dancing, the final three Doctor Who specials leading to Christmas; Antiques Roadshow; the Electric Proms; Jane Austen adaptation Emma; The Art Of Russia; and exclusive rights to Tony Jordan's new medical drama Crash.

Danielle Nagler, BBC HD controller:

"I was concerned at what I perceived as the gap between the BBC HD promise – the best content from the BBC – and the reality. Those concerns haven’t entirely gone away. But looking at the autumn schedule I do feel that we are moving in the right direction and I would hope that you agree."
Viewers have been quick to mention the continuing absence of Top Gear from the HD lineup, with Nagler responding:

"Don’t feel your thoughts/pleas/paeans of praise for Top Gear have disappeared into the ether, or into my recycling bin. I really value your contributions to our thinking, and hope to be able to update you very soon. But I also want to work through this autumn to make it easier to get information about what is on BBC HD when so that I can tackle the frustrations you air around missing programmes in HD or not knowing what is available."