Why is there so few 5.1 broadcasts on BBC1 HD ?
Channel 4 HD have an abundance of them but not on BBC. BBC HD Preview channel for instance shows clips of Merlin in 5.1 but is actually broadcast as stereo only on the regular programme.

Lots of views but no answers yet unfortunately.

I will reply. Nobody appears to know!

I agree that it does seem odd that there aren't more. But those with a 5.1 set-up might be rarer than those with HD? Perhaps the BBC cannot be bothered to provide for a potentially small audience with this capability. There may be more of us posters here with 5.1 simply because we take an interest in the broadcasting medium and its potential.

My wife hates speakers and such like..
However she revels in the 5.1 sound when available as it makes all the difference..
The Royal Wedding was a classic demonstration..of how the third dimenson is in the brain and the Ears carry the data there better than the Half-cocked 3D Goggle system..IMO
As for me.. I'm watching More CH4 than I've ever watched before and we have only a 'one up from base' Panny 5.1 System Home Cinema System.

Stan

Me too, the 5.1 sound for me is better than the HD picture !!

I assume it's money. Sky have a 100% DD5.1 commissioning policy on their entertainment channels, so everything gets made with it.

I noticed that the Saturday editions of Strictly Come Dancing were in 5.1, but that the Sunday night result editions, which presumably were recorded on Saturday night in the same studio, were in 2.0.

Granted I did not check every Sunday night transmission, but my impression was that they were all in 2.0.

Anyone got any insider info on this?

Funny though that the programmes on BBCHD channel are 5.1 but when they are actually on BBC 1HD they are not.
Seems like misleading advertising to me !!

Agree with the comment that 5.1 brings more to a programme than HD.

Up until a couple of series ago the Tuesday night live editions of Later Live were in 5.1.

Now only the extended Friday night repeats are, I find it a little strange as the BBC also use Later Live to advertise that they do broadcast in 5.1. Disappointed that Great Expectations is not in 5.1.

Changing the subject slightly has anyone actually ever noted an ITV programme being broadcast in 5.1?

I don't think they do (not on London region anyway)

Never seen (heard) any ITV in 5.1 which is surprising considering the Chan. 4 amount.