TV viewers in Queensland have received an unexpected bonus with the Seven Network converting its highly popular 7Two channel to High Definition.
Launching last week, 7TwoHD is currently being broadcast in the Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba markets on channel 63, and in other Seven Queensland regional markets on channel 73.
The change means free-to-air viewers in the regional Queensland market now have access to three high definition channels from the Seven Network. Viewers will require a Mpeg-4 capable television to receive the improved broadcast signal.
While the 7Two broadcast schedule remains the home of many classic British series filmed well before the age of high definition, the channel is now also the home of a large amount of live weekend horse racing.
A spokesperson for Seven Queensland has advised TV Blackbox that 7TwoHD will continue to be broadcast in its current position for the next three months. The HD channel will then be moved to Ch72 (ch62) with the SD service to be “discontinued shortly after”.
So far, Seven has declined to answer questions regarding the possibility of 7TwoHD expanding into metro market, or the possibility of additional HD services being launched in Prime regional markets, but it appears likely the regional Queensland broadcast is a trial ahead of future expansion.
Currently, Prime TV viewers across Australia do not have access to the 7mateHD channel. The regional broadcaster had planned to launch the service for the Olympics last year but later backtracked after a trial launch in Canberra attracted criticism on social media due to Mpeg-4 compatibility issues.
The Seven Network completed a merger with Prime TV earlier this year, leading to renewed viewer hopes for a standardisation of services across the country.
What about us regional viewers here in new south wales and other regional areas we have still not got 7 mate in hd as yet i know channel 7 has bought prime 7 so let s hope we will be getting it in the near future
im still waiting for 7flix
Somehow I can no longer receive channel 62 7TWO or 7MATE Toowoomba.. My TV and RECORDER WILL NOT transmit even after re-scanning several times. It informs us that 7TWO is now on Channel 63 in HD. We will be happy for any suggestions of what do. Both the TV and recorder are in excellent condition and we do not plan on purchasing new items.PLEASE HELP
Quite suddenly, I can no longer receive ch 72 on my TV. Why? I cannot affortd to throw away an otherwise perfectly good TV set and would like channel 7 to reinstate ch72 as soon as posible. Do companies who adverise on this channel realise they have probably lost half their viewing audience?
I don’t have a smart tv so can no longer get channel 7TWO or 7 MATE ! Is this a permanent thing ?
Taking to people, I reckon at least 90% of them have lost all the old 72 programs. I can get 73, as advised, but but only on audio. Come on Channel 7 — isn’t it time you considered your viewers and at least put out some information on how we can retreive the program?
I can now get 63HD (7Two) on my TV but cannot view it through my blu ray recorder when it is connected to the TV