ARD plans new HDTV showcase

[SAT-WORLD]

German public broadcaster ARD will screen programmes in high definition during consumer electronics fair Internationale Funkausstellung (IFA) 2008 to be held from August 29 to September 3 in Berlin.

The showcase, which after presentations during IFA 2007 and Easter 2008 is the third time ARD has trialed programmes in high definition, will be screened on cultural channel EinsFestival and feature more then 50 documentaries, films and music shows in the new technology. Satellite households will be able to receive the programmes in parallel to the conventional variation of EinsFestival via Astra (19.2° East). Cable carriage will be determined by individual cable companies.

The upcoming showcase will concentrate on nature documentaries, including six episodes of the BBC series Planet Earth, a film portrait of the Alps by mountain climber Reinhold Messner and travel shows to historic sites as well as insights into the lives of shy sea dwellers such as humpback whales, sword fish and octopi. Additionally, music show London Live will be screened with performances by artists such as Jamiroquai, Beck and Primal Scream as well as a concert by the band Maroon 5.

ARD and fellow public broadcaster ZDF plan to commence regular HDTV transmissions but not until the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010. In the meantime, further trial runs will take place, including during Christmas and the World Championships in Athletics to be held in Berlin in 2009.

Source:Rapid Tv News