Nine begin break-away programming on NineHD

May 5th, 2009

Without any warning, it looks like the Nine Network have begun broadcasting different content on their high definition channel (9HD), breaking away from what they broadcast on their regular standard definition channel (Ch9). Our good friends over at TVTonight have also reported this sudden development.

Beginning this week, Nine have been showing reruns of “Just Shot Me” & “Seinfeld” in the morning following their normal programming of “Mornings with Kerri-Anne” and the “Today” show (seen on both Ch9 & 9HD). They are then continuing the break-away content with a ‘midday movie’ of sorts and are finishing the afternoon off with some delightful episodes of “Bewitched” and “I Dream of Jeannie”, before returning to regular Ch9 programming with the afternoon edition of “National Nine News”.

Could this be the beginning of their second standard definition channel and signs of things to come? Who knows. One thing is for sure, information about the sudden change in programming on 9HD and what Nine’s plans are for their second channel (due to be launched later this year), is very scarce.

If what was reported to be said by Nine’s CEO David Gyngell less than two months ago about their new standard definition channel being a ‘general entertainment channel’ is anything to go by, then it would be a pretty safe bet to assume that Nine are using their high definition channel to test the waters.

Earlier this year, the media were reportedly told that it “could look like a cross between general entertainment pay-TV channels TV1 and Fox8″ as well as “include re-runs of old sit-coms… plus some lifestyle programming”, when referring to Nine’s new channel. This could sum up what we are suddenly seeing so far this week on 9HD.

One thing is for sure: we will be watching what Nine does on its high definition channel very carefully over the next few weeks. As soon as we are able to establish a consistent line-up with Nine’s new programming on 9HD and whether they plan to offer the same content on their new standard definition channel, we will make the necessary adjustments within our IceTV EPG. This process can take up to 2-3 weeks and we thank all our users in advance for remaining patient during this time.

For more information on Nine’s reported plans for its second standard definition channel please refer to our previous news story “Nine announces initial plans for 2nd digital channel”.

Cheers,
IceTV

Posted in Freeview, IceTV EPG.