BBC launches five new HD channels

BBC HD

The BBC has today confirmed that is keeping its previous promise of expanding its HD line-up by adding five extra channels.

The launch was originally intended for 2014, but the Beeb has managed to bring the release date forward to the 10th December 2013.

The new channels set for launch tomorrow are CBeebies HD, CBBC HD, BBC Three HD, BBC Four HD and BBC News HD.

BBC HD channels can be accessed subscription free via a variety of sources; Freeview HD, Freesat HD, Sky HD, YouView, and Virgin Media set-top boxes.

Freeview HD has also confirmed the launch of Al Jazeera English HD, adding to the four-strong line-up of BBC One HD, BBC Two HD, ITV HD and Channel 4 HD.

Users will also be able to access HD programmes from these new BBC channels through BBC iPlayer.

People wishing to check their HD coverage levels can do so by heading to the Freeview HD website.

To see the full list of new channel numbers for the BBC HD channels, across all platforms, head to the announcement on the BBC website.

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by Max Langridge

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Max is a staff writer for What Hi-Fi?'s sister site, TechRadar, in Australia. But being the wonderful English guy he is, he helps out with content across a number of Future sites, including What Hi-Fi?. It wouldn't be his first exposure to the world of all things hi-fi and home cinema, as his first role in technology journalism was with What Hi-Fi? in the UK. Clearly he pined to return after making the move to Australia and the team have welcomed him back with arms wide open.