HD channel no. 1 with sports fans | Gladstone TV Guide | Gladstone Television, Australia

Calliope U12 Rugby League Coach Cameron Kurtz, with players Jaden Masters (left) and Kaeleb Lawson (right) and son Cohen, approves of the new sports channel ONE HD.

Chrissy Harris

RUGBY league fans may have drawn the short straw as free to air channel, ONE HD, began broadcasting on Gladstone's televisions last night, but Calliope U12s coach Cameron Kurtz was still happy.

“It would be good for sports lovers who may not be able to afford pay TV,” he said.

“And it is good for sports exposure in Australia in general as well.”

Mr Kurtz said he would have liked to have seen rugby league on the channel as well, as it would have helped junior development for the game.

Nevertheless, Mr Kurtz said he would still watch AFL, the Commonwealth Games, National Football League (NFL) and the National Basketball Association (NBA) on the channel if he did not already have pay TV.

Last night at 7pm, regional Queenslanders were able to tune into the 24-hour sports channel which has been broadcasting to capital cities since earlier this year.

However, Gladstone residents will require a HD set top box or television to receive ONE HD.

Macquarie Southern Cross Media's chief executive officer Rhys Holleran said: “The launch of this channel follows the significant investment program which was required to enable the broadcasting of HD television across 25 markets we have in these regions in Eastern Australia ranging from Far North Queensland down to Southern Victoria.

“The launch of high definition television in these markets in regional Australia will play an integral role in the transition from analogue to digital television in the coming years.”

Sports covered include AFL, Netball, Formula 1, Moto GP, NASCAR, NFL, Major League Baseball, NBA, golf, US college sports, tennis and swimming.