BBC confirms plans for HD World Cup, Wimbledon

The BBC has confirmed plans to broadcast its entire coverage of the World Cup, as well as "major" Wimbledon matches, in high definition (HD) this summer.

The sporting fixtures will be a key part of the BBC's year-long HD trial, which aims to test technical delivery of the format and gauge its value to the audience. The BBC's HD service will be available via Sky's forthcoming HD service, NTL Telewest's HD offering and to a limited number of people in London via Freeview.

'BBC HD' will begin on Monday, May 15 with a test stream previewing forthcoming programming on the service. The first live HD programme will be the World Cup opener between Germany and Costa Rica on Friday, June 9. Every game broadcast by the BBC in the tournament will air in HD, including BBC commentary and studio coverage.

"High definition works particularly well for sport," said Roger Mosey, the BBC's director of sport. "It gives fantastic picture quality, from the blades of grass that are being played on right to the back of the stands, and although only limiited numbers of people will be able to see this trial we hope it will be a glimpse of the future."

Other content on BBC HD will include popular natural history series Planet Earth and Galapagos, drama documentary Hannibal and several BBC Proms concerts.

New programming will average between one and two hours per day, occasionally as a simulcast with BBC One and Two. The schedule will also feature series such as Bleak House and Hotel Babylon, airing in HD for the first time.

"We believe that in the long term the BBC can help provide the benefits of HD to everyone, free to air, in the same way that we backed colour, stereo, widescreen and online in the past," said Seetha Kumar, the BBC's head of HDTV. "With this trial, the BBC is taking the first crucial steps to support the development of HD broadcasting in the UK."