Sports fans in regional Australia have scored a win with confirmation they will now be able to access even more action in High Definition.
TV Blackbox can confirm regional broadcaster Prime Television is set to upgrade 7Mate (Channel 63) to High Definition in time for the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Coverage of the Tokyo Olympics will be broadcast Live and in HD on Channel 7 and 7Mate from July 23. The broadcaster will also utilise the 7MateHD channel for all of its live AFL coverage throughout the games period.
Prime TV launched a test of 7mateHD in Canberra last weekend, ahead of the broader roll-out across its regional footprint.
9Gem has been broadcast in High Definition in metro markets since June 2019, while the metro version of 7Mate was upgraded to HD in January 2020. However, the two multi-channels which often feature live sports content have only been available in standard definition across much of regional Australia.
WIN Television recently returned to being the regional affiliate partner for the 9Network, but currently has no plans to upgrade 9GEM to HD, despite the channel regularly being used for live Rugby and Tennis coverage.
The upgrade to High Definition will require 7Mate to move to the Mpeg4 format. A move that will see the channel become incompatible with some older television equipment.
In addition to the free-to-air coverage on Channel 7 and 7mate, the Tokyo Olympics will also be made available on the 7plus app with 45 HD channels available to stream for free.
Thats is great news we viewers in regional australia will have another hd channel.I often watch 7 mate there are some great shows on there.
Still nothing here in newcastle as of this morning regarding 7 mate hd still sd.I would think they would put a message on the tv screens advising viewers what is happening regarding 7mate going hd.
OK where is 7 mate hd in prime 7 areas it definitley is not hd the picture quality.
I wish you would get the information definitely confirmed before you print information regarding 7 MATE HD IN REGIONAL AREAS.
Hi Stephen – have you retuned your device to ensure it is picking up the new HD signal?
Hi i did watch a bit of tv before i left home this morning did a retune through my set top box yesterday nothing there. Did not retune this morning before i left when did it become hd 7mate.
Hi Stephen – the change was meant to take place on Friday ahead of the Opening Ceremony.
I did several retunes last friday before the opening ceremony still no changes here in newcastle actual picture quality on 7mate is actual not very good.Do you receive 7 mate where you are?
Hi Stephen, unfortunately after running a trial program in the Canberra market, Prime7 reversed its decision and opted not to launch a HD version of the channel nationally.
By the way i live near newcastle nsw is it still channel 63 or have they added channel 64 for the hd signal.
Very disappointing for this not to happen for the Olympics. (Which turned out to be one of Australia’s best games).
Also disappointing when it was promoted in their Olympic promos prior to the games.
Poor decision on part of Prime. The quality of 7Mate in SD is very poor. Should be a no-brainer to follow 9/NBN and have two HD channels in 2021.