BBC, Sky back new Ultra HD body

Representatives from BSkyB and the BBC will co-chair a new industry group, designed to help introduce and promote Ultra HD TV in the UK.

Industry association the Digital TV Group (DTG) launched the new UK UHD Forum, which will be co-chaired by Chris Johns, chief engineer, broadcast strategy at BskyB and Andy Quested, the BBC’s head of technology for BBC HD and UHDTV.

The group will co-ordinate UK requirements to build a knowledge base for the future interoperability of Ultra HD, the DTG said. It will also work with the Forum for Advanced Media in Europe (FAME) and other European standard organisations, while the Digital TV Group will work with broadcasters and the Digital Production Partnership to examine whether there is a requirement for a UK Ultra HD.

“It is vital that the technology step-change demanded by Ultra HD be fully understood prior to any implementation of an ‘Ultra-HD Ready’ logo, to avoid the confusion still experienced by consumers to this day over ‘HD Ready’,” according to the DTG.

Richard Lindsay-Davies, director general of the DTG added: “This is a real opportunity to re-invigorate the market and through collaboration generate the greatest economic value for the UK. In launching the UK UHD-Forum, the DTG is bringing together all relevant stakeholders to work towards the managed delivery of interoperable Ultra-HD services, networks and devices.”