The long-anticipated HD versions of BBC One's English regions look set to launch as soon as next month.
Earlier this year the corporation outlined plans to turn its flagship TV channel HD in England by the end of 2022 as part of an increased commitment to serve the regions.
Up until now BBC One has only been available in SD quality across its 12 regional variants, plus three sub-regional variants, in England, although a generic HD version of BBC One has been available, complete with an infamous holding screen whenever regional programmes are broadcast.
Viewers in Wales, Northern Ireland and Scotland have been able to watch their respective version of BBC One in HD for almost a decade.
The 15 English versions of BBC One now look set to follow suit on Thursday, October 21 - almost a year earlier than originally planned.
Availability of the HD variants is currently unclear, although carriage on Freeview and streaming via iPlayer are almost certainties.
Should all of the variants launch on Sky and Freesat next month then the change would be seamless for viewers with HD-capable boxes, with smart-swapping meaning that the new local HD variant will automatically replace its SD counterpart on channel 101.
The BBC has been approached for comment.
Neil Wilkes
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