Sports fans in regional Australia have scored a win with Prime Television upgrading popular multichannel to High Definition this week.
Prime Television launched the upgraded HD version of 7Mate (Channel 64) on Wednesday. While most people will receive the channel automatically, some viewers may find they need to rescan their Television equipment.
The move to upgrade picture quality comes just in time for the networks Commonwealth Games coverage which commences on July 28. Seven’s coverage of the Commonwealth Games will be broadcast on up to 30 exclusive and free, live and replay channels across Seven, 7mate and 7plus.
The upgrade to High Definition will see 7MateHD (Channel 64) broadcast in the Mpeg4 format. While the format is incompatible with some older television equipment, the network is continuing to broadcast the SD version of 7Mate on channel 63.
7MateHD has been available in metro markets since 2020. The improved picture quality has proved a winner for the channel which regularly features AFL and action movie content.
Prime TV launched a test of 7mateHD in Canberra last year but then backtracked on plans for a broader roll-out after complaints from viewers unable to receive the channel which is broadcast in the Mpeg 4 format.
The change comes as the Seven Network (Owner of Prime TV) continues its strategy of slowly aligning the regional broadcast stations in with its metro business. As previously revealed by this website. All Prime and GWN regional broadcast stations and news bulletins are expected to fully take on Seven branding in time for the Commonwealth Games coverage.
hahaha its 2022 and PRIME have just gone HD.. hahaha hahahah. and hahaha
Still no HD seven affiliated channels in geraldton western australia. We have 5g phone coverage but will have to watch the AFL Grand Final in SD yet again. Get your act together 7 this is disgraceful.
No GWN7 HD channel yet in the southwest either. Am currently watching the Grand Final in SD.
I’m rapt that my favorite TV channel is back in high definition again after being turned into a low definition channel many years ago. Back then it was swapped to make channel 7 Bendigo the high definition channel for a previous olympic games. Am hoping it will stay high definition from now on.
Why the hell won’t Foxtel allow 7mateHD on its platform?
@Laurie: 7mate is available in HD in metropolitan areas like Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, etc via Foxtel. However there are too many versions of the channel for all the regional and remote area of Australia outside of the big cities (and Foxtel don’t have access at the moment to enough Satellite 🛰 bandwidth from Optus) in order to make 7mate available wherever you live. But I think if you have the latest iQ5 Foxtel receiver box, then you can connect the iQ5 box to your external TV aerial for local free-to-air TV to receive 7mate and all other Freeview channels this way !
How stupid is 7mate ? Advertise Forrest Gump at 7.30 Friday 9 September & you show bloody Superman , you Dickheads