BBC HD now on demand

Taiwan - BBC Worldwide's Global Channels will be launching its first subscription video-on-demand (SVOD) service, BBC HD, to Taiwanese audiences with Chunghwa Telecom in April.

Viewers will be able to choose from 10 three-hour multiple genre blocks of programmes at any one time. The blocks will feature drama and comedy, to documentary and arts programming. BBC HD will be broadcast in English with traditional Chinese subtitles and will offer programme promos and navigational menus in traditional Chinese.

Christine Leo-McKerrow, senior vice president and general manager, Global Channels Asia-Pacific,said, "The BBC HD SVOD launch in Taiwan will be the first time the BBC HD brand is available outside the UK and in advance of the 24-hour linear channel launching later this year". She also added there were plans to produce BBC's UK prime time content in HD by 2010.

BBC HD is the sixth channel brand in BBC Worldwide's new Global Channels portfolio to launch. The other five channels are BBC Entertainment, BBC Knowledge, BBC Lifestyle and CBeebies - together with the BBC's 24-hour international news channel, BBC World.