Seven Expands 7HD With More Programs

The Seven Network’s new high-definition (HD) channel expands today with more programming available in country and metropolitan Australia, offering 50 hours of exclusive TV shows this week with more programs to come in 2008.

Seven says it hopes to migrate to a multi-channel platform next year, and will add more programs to its line-up in due course.

Seven’s new HD channel, 7HD, was the first commercial ‘multiple channel’ to launch in Australia on 15 October, followed shortly by Network Ten’s ‘Ten-HD’ channel which will begin airing on 16 December.

High-profile Partners

The country’s biggest consumer electronics retailer, Harvey Norman, has signed on as a major partner of the program to drive awareness and take-up of HD TVs. Seven says the retailer is one of many high-profile advertising partners, including Universal Music, to sign-on with the channel.

The new channel will air a number of new international TV series that will be exclusive to the HD channel, along with various original Seven productions. Two projects have been confirmed for next year – one featuring Andrew O’Keefe and the other a new primetime program from the executive producer of breakfast program, Sunrise.

Seven’s chief executive officer, David Leckie, said: “We are leading the drive into multichanneling. And we can’t wait to deliver Australians more entertainment in 2008 and then build on that through the year to launch what will be our third channel in early 2009.

“7HD is about having a go, giving Australians more programmes and allowing our people to get cracking on creating new Australian content. We are recognised as the leader in news and public affairs, sports and the production of shows that Australians want to watch. 7HD will confirm our leadership in the creation and development of programmes relevant to all Australians.”

Further programming information will be revealed next year when 7HD steps up again to offer even more exclusive programming hours.