7HD

7HD was an Australian television channel, owned by Seven West Media, that launched on 15 October 2007. The channel was available to high definition digital television viewers in metropolitan areas, Tasmania and Regional Queensland through a number of owned-and-operated stations, as well as via Prime HD and Southern Cross Television. On 25 September 2010, 7HD was replaced by the new channel 7mate. Following the government's decision to remove the SD Primary Channel limitations, the channel will return as a HD simulcast on channel 70 in March 2016.

History

In 2004, after the 2001 introduction of digital terrestrial television in Australia, the Seven Network began broadcasting a continuous promo loop on digital channel 70 under the name "7 HD Digital". This promo loop showcased extracts from a variety of Seven's programs, the most prominent being The Great Outdoors, and continued until 2007.

7HD was officially announced on 15 September 2007, with the Seven West Media announcing their intention to start a high definition multichannel, that was initially expected to launch in December 2007. However, 7HD became the first Free-to-air commercial television channel introduced to metropolitan areas since 1988, when it launched prior on 15 October 2007, with 25th Hour being the first program broadcast at 10:30pm.