The launch of a new European high-definition broadcaster and the arrival of blue laser or HDDVD will provide new opportunities to producers working with the new high resolution format, delegates at The Production Show were told yesterday.

The launch of a new European high-definition broadcaster and the arrival of blue laser or HDDVD will provide new opportunities to producers working with the new high resolution format, delegates at The Production Show were told yesterday.

1080, a European venture backed by Gabriel Fehevari, the head of one of Belgium's biggest OB suppliers Alfacam and a former Philip's executive Rob de Vogel, promises to start broadcasting around four hours a day of high-definition material from the beginning of next year, if it can find the necessary Euros 120m it is understood to be looking for to launch the venture.

Should it succeed then it will provide an additional broadcast market for producers who currently rely on US and Japanese co-productions as their only broadcast outlet.

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