OneHD
Posted: Sat Feb 21, 2009 7:46 pm
Woot woot! Can't wait.
Channel TEN has finally declared the launch date for its new 24-hour sports channel, ONE.
It all begins at 7:30pm on Thursday, 26 March.
The new high definition channel will be seen on Channel 1 and on 12, which will rebroadcast the signal in standard definition. Currently 12 is where TEN HD is located, effectively meaning it will disappear with the arrival of ONE.
ONE's launch is timed with the return of AFL. The opening weekend will include AFL's first-round showdown between Richmond and Carlton. This will air in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth, with the match to be broadcast simultaneously on ONE and TEN. A Swimming Australia SKINS event showcasing the Australian Swimming Team and international stars, including Olympic gold medallists Oussama Mellouli and Therese Alshammar, will be shown first in the Sydney and Brisbane markets, with coverage in Melbourne, Adelaide and Perth following the AFL.
Over the launch weekend ONE has live and extended coverage of the Formula 1 ING Australian Grand Prix. Expect more than 22 hours of action across Friday, Saturday and Sunday.
Still to come on ONE are extended versions of Sports Tonight, and new, locally produced shows.
ONE promises more extensive coverage of domestic and international sport than ever seen before on Australian free-to-air television, including AFL, motor sport (Formula 1, Moto GP, NASCAR), netball, cricket, swimming, golf, NFL, NBA Major League Baseball, NCAA College Basketball and Football, and others. Premium sports events, such as AFL and the Commonwealth Games, will still screen on revenue-driven TEN.
David White from TEN Sports says, "We know our opening weekend will give viewers a sensational introduction to ONE, and mark the beginning of a lifetime's habit of essential sports viewing."
ONE will mean TEN has three channels on the air, which makes full use of its available spectrum, and completes what it will offer under the Freeview platform once it emerges later in the year. We're still waiting for what Seven and Nine will deliver with their extra channels.
To view ONE you will need a high definition television or HD set top box (and hopefully live in an area reached by TEN's signal). Otherwise you can view it on ONE SD on Channel 12.