Regardless of which sport, team or individual sportsman is their favourite, most fanatics can easily get their fix of live sporting events on TV. The majority of mainstream sports derive the bulk of their income from global TV deals and therefore the companies that broadcast sporting events use all the latest production and presentation techniques in order to present sport as compelling viewing.

According to the latest figures, 56% of the UK population already has access to a High Definition ready TV, yet less than 10% regularly access HD programming or Blu-ray, meaning that they are failing to take advantage of the technology sitting in the their front room. It appears that rather than take advantage of the HD viewing currently available on Freesat, Sky and Virgin most are waiting for HD programming to arrive in their terrestrial TV region before upgrading their set-top box.

With the FIFA World Cup finals due to kick off in South Africa June 2010 Freeview have hinted that by the time the group stage games start around 50% of the UK will be able to watch in HD via terrestrial aerials using their HD set-top box. However, that is not a definite promise, so viewing may only be available in standard format in most regions by the time the tournament kicks-off. Indeed, the complete roll-out of HD freeview will not take place until the end of 2012, when 98.5% of the UK will be able to access free terrestrial HD viewing.

However, the number of HD channels available on freeview will be limited and sport will only be broadcast if it is a protected event broadcast on BBC or ITV, such as the World Cup Finals games involving England. For a regular fix of golf, American football, Major League Baseball, Test cricket and one day internationals, tennis, Premiership football, Premier League rugby and much more in HD format sports fans can take out subscriptions services via satellite and cable operators, such as Sky and Virgin Media.

Of, course all the aforementioned sports and more are also available in standard definition viewing via cable and satellite. If you have an HD-ready TV and already pay a sports subscription, then for a little extra you could watch all that sport in glorious HD. Clearer images, up to five times better quality than standard viewing and superior digital sound help enhance the HD viewing experience, making TV sport even more exciting.

Imagine being able to watch the PGA Masters, England Test cricket and Premiership football and feeling as though you are there; with HD viewing you can totally immerse yourself in the experience. Of course, TV coverage also provides replays, expert analysis and commentary not provided at the event itself. For many purists it may not be as good as actually being there but when viewing in HD it is very, very close.

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