On 1 January 2005 it changed to 576p to accommodate the launch of new channel ABC TV Plus (then ABC2) and gradually expanded its operating hours.
Throughout its multichannel era, ABC HD continued providing a high definition simulcast of ABN Sydney.
[6] On 6 December 2016, ABC HD recommenced simulcasting in high definition, upgraded to 1080i high-definition format via Freeview and Optus D1.
During the times that native high definition content was unavailable for simulcasting, a promo loop that showcased extracts from a variety of Seven's programs was broadcast.
[8] 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.
7HD breakaway programming ceased transmission on Sunday 4 October 2009 in preparation for the launch of 7TWO a few weeks later on 1 November.
[11][12] In order to allow the 2016 Summer Olympics to be broadcast in high definition in all capital cities, 7HD was temporarily changed to a simulcast of Seven's primary channel in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth on 5 August 2016.
From 2002, this was interspersed with a loop of high definition demonstration material during business hours, for viewing in the showrooms of television retailers, at the conclusion of an equivalent service by Network Ten.
[10] Although originally expected to be the first free-to-air commercial television channel introduced to metropolitan areas since 1988,[24] the surprise launch of rival Seven HD, on 15 October 2007, one month before transmissions were scheduled to begin,[9] meant that 9HD was not the first high definition multichannel in Australia.
[25][26] The re-branded 9HD officially commenced transmission on 17 March 2008 from PBL Media's four metropolitan owned-and-operated stations, TCN Sydney, GTV Melbourne, QTQ Brisbane and NTD Darwin, in addition to WIN Corporation's two metropolitan stations NWS Adelaide, and STW Perth as well as on its regional stations RTQ Queensland, WIN southern New South Wales, VTV Victoria, and TVT Tasmania.
9HD was replaced by the 9Gem multichannel on 26 September 2010, which unlike the previous incarnation, was a full-time breakaway and branded separately (with one exception being the London Olympics).
As such, this was generally limited to events outside of prime time, while those with more prominence continued to be shown on the Nine Network.
From the revamp of its production and circle logo and of the slogan Seriously Ten on 1 February 2001, this was interspersed with a loop of high definition demonstration material during business hours, for viewing in the showrooms of television retailers, at the conclusion of an equivalent service by Network Ten.
[10] Although originally expected to be the first free-to-air commercial television channel introduced to metropolitan areas since 1988,[31] the surprise launch of Seven Media Group's HD offering, 7HD, on 15 October 2007,[9] two months before transmissions were scheduled to begin, meant that Ten HD was launched as the second high-definition multichannel in Australia.
PBL Media announced the creation of a similar multichannel, 9HD, on 27 September,[24] which was launched on 17 March 2008.
[34] Following this, on 21 November 2007, Ten Network Holdings Limited announced that it would launch the channel on 16 December 2007 at 5.00 pm, with the first program, Totally Wild.
[35] Ten HD officially commenced transmission on 16 December 2007 from the network's five metropolitan owned-and-operated stations in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Adelaide, and Perth.
[36] The first official program on launch night began at 8.30 pm, the 2001 movie Black Hawk Down.
[36] This was followed by Bon Jovi's Lost Highway Tour at 11.30 pm and Video Hits Presents: The Music of Supernatural at 12.25 am.
[37] In the lead-up to the opening night, the channel promised up to eleven hours of time-shifted programming from Ten in addition to fifty hours of exclusive programming, which included live sport, entertainment, films, documentaries, science fiction and news.
Rather than introduce a new digital service, Ten decided to relaunch Ten HD as a sports-only channel, to be named One HD (now 10 Bold), and use its standard-definition simulcast on channel 11 to broadcast a standard-definition simulcast called One SD.
[41] On 11 February 2016, some smart TVs began receiving notification messages advising of Ten HD through a "ghost broadcast" that soon disappeared.
[42] Ten later recommenced simulcasting in high definition on 2 March 2016 on channel 13 from 3pm, in time for the 2016 season of the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.
As of 2016[update] it has over 20 HD channels, a mix of basic and premium subscription, free-to-air and free-to-view services.