A division of the Liberal Party of Australia
ONE HD BROADCASTS
30 June, 2009
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When Southern Cross Ten begins broadcast of its 24-hour sports channel, One HD, in regional Queensland on 2 July, only viewers with High Definition Set Top Boxes will be able to view it.
Opposition Spokesman for Northern Australia, Senator Ian Macdonald, says he is concerned that only those with the most expensive type of digital set top box or television will be able to receive One HD in regional Queensland, while Brisbane viewers will be able to see it in either Standard (SD) or High Definition (HD).
“A number of people have contacted me, saying that they purchased a SD digital TV or Set Top Box, thinking they would be able to receive all the new channels, as advertised by Freeview. Sadly, if you live outside Brisbane, this will not be the case, as things stand.”
“I have written to Southern Cross Ten, pointing out that regional viewers are being treated like second class citizens, and that they also feel they have been deceived by the advertisement of additional channels, which did not state that only HD viewers would receive them all.”
“One HD is the first totally new commercial channel to open since digital television began, and I know there are some very keen sports fans throughout the North who are eagerly awaiting it launch. It would be a pity if many of these viewers find that they can’t actually received One HD without buying spending even more money.”
“I am hopeful that Southern Cross Ten will agree to broadcast One HD on SD, so that everyone can enjoy the same service as the capital cities do,” Senator Macdonald said.