AFL, swimming, Formula 1, basketball, baseball, netball, cricket, golf, NASCAR — it's all at your fingertips on free-to-air television.
ONE has landed. Channel TEN's new high-definition channel will deliver non-stop action to viewers without having to pay a cent to subscription television. The channel is now accessible if you have an HD television set or set-top box and you live in TEN's broadcast markets of Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth.
If you don't have HD you can still see the same content via the new standard digital channel ONE SD (Channel 12).
For regional viewers, the "picture" is less clear. As TEN only broadcasts to five metropolitan markets, its affiliate network Southern Cross (SC10) is responsible for programming.
SC10 says it is still building its infrastructure to carry high definition to 23 markets and expects to have this completed by mid-year.
SC10 is also yet to make a decision about its secondary digital channel which leaves no guarantees regarding the future of ONE SD.
Foxtel cable viewers who have high-definition packages via the IQ2 will see ONE HD. Satellite viewers may need to wait longer subject to additional satellite capacity and deals between TEN and Foxtel.
The arrival of ONE also signals the end of TEN HD and the availability of dramas, light entertainment, reality and movies in high definition. That's unfortunate for those of us who enjoy watching Neighbours, Rush, So You Think You Can Dance, NCIS and House with superior picture quality and sound.
However, TEN is confident its new channel will score with sports fans. General manager of Sport, David White, said "We know our opening weekend will give viewers a sensational introduction to ONE, and mark the beginning of a lifetime's habit of essential sports viewing."
