BBC Trust approve HD channel

The BBC Trust has approved the full launch of BBC HD, the broadcaster’s high definition channel currently transmitting a trial service on satellite and cable. The service will typically broadcast a 9-hour schedule on these platforms from launch. Plans to launch an overnight “best-of” service on Freeview by using the overnight downtime of BBC Four, BBC Parliament and BBCi have been (sensibly) rejected, but the Trust wishes the full service to be available via DTT “as soon as possible” – not likely to be before switchover.