Spooks in HD

Season six of the Beeb's excellent Spooks was disappointingly shown only in standard definition last year. But I've just noticed that Spooks is on the BBC HD schedules on Sunday 10 August at 11pm. I don't know what season this is, but it's good to see one of Auntie's finest finally becoming available in high definition.
Further good news: the BBC3 spin off, [Spooks] Code 9 is coming to BBC HD in August, too. The trailer and first ten minutes of episode one can be found here.
The fact that it's on BBC3 suggests a more teen-focussed storyline; Torchwood has shown the BBC can do spin offs successfully, but it doesn't always work. Should be one worth trying though.

Wot, no Spooks?

The BBC's HD highlights announcement for the rest of Autumn had a few notable omissions, notably NO SPOOKS, which is disappointing to say the least. I'd hoped that the Beeb would follow the earlier HD broadcasts of Hotel Babylon and Hustle earlier this year with an HD presentation of its more popular dramas, but it doesn't look like it will be. Also missing is The Nature of Britain, surely crying out for HD (even if I do intend to watch it without the sound of Titchmarsh). Instead, the schedules reveal yet more repeats of Torchwood, Bryan Ferry and bits of Later. Hopefully when the service is properly launches, we'll get a bit more variety and some of the better shows.

Anyway, here's the BBC stuff announced so far for the rest of the Autumn:

* The new series of Strictly Come Dancing (Simulcast with BBC ONE)

* The new series of Robin Hood (Simulcast with BBC ONE)

* The Tudors (Simulcast with BBC TWO)

* Michael Palin’s New Europe (Simulcast with BBC ONE)

* The Antiques Roadshow (Simulcast with BBC ONE)

* Who Do You Think You Are? (Simulcast with BBC ONE)

* The Life and Times of Vivienne Vyle (From BBC TWO)

* After You’ve Gone (From BBC ONE)

* The Story Of India (From BBC TWO)

* Ganges (From BBC TWO)

* Saira Khan's Pakistan Adventure (From BBC TWO)

* Cranford (Simulcast with BBC TWO)

* The Company (Simulcast with BBC TWO)

* Fairy Tales (From BBC TWO)

This week's highlights on BBC HD

With the Beeb's autumn season now in full swing, it's great to see so many of the flagship shows appearing on the HD channel. Three to watch for this week:



New Europe with Michael Palin (Sundays, 9pm)
The photography in this series has been breathtaking in HD. I hadn't appreciated just what a difference HD can make to documentary filming until this series - even more than Galapagos and Blue Planet, this has been fantastic and a constant revelation. If you find Palin's travalogue patter a little grating, turn down the sound and just marvel at the picture quality. Outstanding

Heroes (Wednesdays, 9pm and 10pm)
Whether you're watching at BBC2 or BBC3 pace, the Beeb's top US import is now in its full stride with the introduction of Christopher Ecclestone's invisible man, the stand out character in season one. I'm kicking myself that I first watched this on Sci Fi, where it wasn't even in widescreen let alone HD. Fantastic fantasy that's a real treat each week.

The Tudors (Fridays, 9pm)
The trailers for this landmark drama on Henry VIII's younger years look mouthwatering, so let's hope they put as much love and attention into the plot as they have the look.

And coming soon: season six of Spooks ....