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When UK Gold launched in 1992, the whole country broadcast in 4:3. When the UKTV network launched in 1997, the majority of programming was still 4:3. Channels didn't go 16:9 until 1998 with BBC One leading the way therefore a lot of UKTV's content is in the 14:9 format. This is a "compromise" format which is a half way house between full 16:9 and 4:3. This is how BBC transmitted 16:9 content (and still does) on their ANALOGUE broadcasts.

When UKTV acquired 16:9 content, it was delivered in this 14:9 format. It is not cost effective to go back to the originals and source the 16:9 versions (although we are doing this on some of our more popular titles). As programmes and series come up for renewal we will look at obtaining the 16:9 version.

We can't broadcast them as 4:3 within a 16:9 frame (i.e. with black bars either side) because the source tape is 14:9.

Hope this clarifies the situation.

As far as I know, none of these programmes were originally recorded in 14:9 ratio. The only two official ratios of TVs in this country (and most others I can think of) are 4:3 and 16:9. Therefore I suspect that pretty much all programs that UKTV transmits in 14:9 were originally recorded in 16:9. If this is the case, then why can't you go back to the originals and transmit those? Failing that, at least transmit them in 16:9 format with side bars left and right.

My original post said "selected" episodes of The Antiques Roadshow. We have a large back catalogue of this programme and as a result the majority of episodes are in 14:9. All new episodes will be in 16:9.

I was pleased to hear that as of Thursday 31st Jan your channels would all be broadcasting in widescreen, but after watching, I was dismayed to find out that this is not the case at all! The only thing that I have noticed is in 16:9 widescreen is the adverts! Programmes that Craig H of UKTV mentioned above such as the Antiques Roadshow are still being shown in the old fashioned 4:3 ratio. I know full well that this program was made in widescreen and first aired on BBC in widescreen, so why not on UKTV History Channel? What exactly is the problem?

Is thier TIMEING back though? OR are you just trrying to make a related Sky sale?

Thanks for your comments.

As of last Thursday 31st January, I am pleased to confirm UKTV is now broadcasting in widescreen across all 9 of our channels. Please read the feature here: [link] for further information.

As a viewer of UKTV History, you will be pleased to know we are already showing selected episodes of the following programmes in 16:9: Who Do You Think You Are?, 20th Century Battlefields, The Antiques Roadshow, Balderdash and Piffle and Surviving Disaster. Many more programmes will be introduced throughout 2008.

Thanks for contacting UKTV.