The BBC has announced it will makes 24 HD-quality broadcast streams available to the UK’s satellite and cable providers “on a non-exclusive basis”.
The corporation said the free-to-air streams would allow viewers across the UK will be able to watch every Olympic sport live.
Roger Mosey, Director, BBC London 2012, said: “We’re delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to cable and satellite providers to extend our online service to millions of TV viewers across the UK.
“BBC One and BBC Three will remain the flagship channels for the Olympics. But, as the London 2012 Olympic Games will be the first truly ‘Digital Games’, we wanted to offer an unprecedented amount of live sporting action to the widest possible audience through these 24 live streams, giving vastly more choice than ever before.”
Sky says it will make the channels available via its EPG meaning Sky+ HD customers will be able to record programmes.
Stephen van Rooyen, Managing Director of Sky’s Sales and Marketing Group, said: “The London Olympics is a huge event in 2012 and one that we are all looking forward to here at Sky. We believe that the best way to watch the Olympics is in glorious HD as it offers viewers the best possible viewing experience and, supported by Sky+, the flexibility of watching the action at a time that suits our customers. We’re delighted that every single Sky home will have the opportunity to enjoy unprecedented coverage of the biggest UK sporting event in a generation.”
Managing Director of Freesat, Emma Scott welcomed the non-exclusive availability of the channels, saying: “We’re totally delighted to be able to offer Freesat viewers these great BBC HD services. It is going to be an amazing summer of sport and the London 2012 Olympics in HD will truly be a sight to behold. This is the latest great example of the quality and choice in TV programmes available to Freesat customers, all subscription-free.”