Twenty five years ago European public service broadcasters realised that 'High Definition Television', HDTV, would have a major impact on the future of the media and society.   

Demonstrations, the first ever in Europe, given to the EBU General Assembly on 25-28 June 1982, in Killarney, Ireland, were a major milestone in the development of HDTV. They raised European awareness of the potential of HDTV to provide a significantly improved viewing experience.  

The demonstrations were arranged with great foresight by the Director General of the EBU's Irish Member RTE, George T Waters.  They were seen in Killarney by several hundred programme makers and engineers from across Europe and beyond. 

Jean Reveillon, Secretary General of the EBU, points out that:  "My predecessors in the EBU understood what was going to change the world and thanks to our Members we have remained at the forefront of innovation throughout the years.  We are proud to have hosted the first HDTV demonstrations in Europe."    

The development of HDTV began in the 1970s with the pioneers at the Japanese Broadcasting Corporation NHK, an Associate Member of the EBU, and the inventors of HDTV.  Many individuals and organizations made the first demonstrations of HDTV possible in 1982.  There was great help from NHK and CBS, Associate Members of the EBU, together with the companies Sony, Ikegami, Panasonic, and Hitachi, who made equipment available.   Delegates in Killarney saw HDTV on a 100" Projection Screen with stereo sound, a new feature at that time also.  Hitachi and Panasonic provided a 65" projection display and 24" and 28" monitors.  Ikegami provided an HDTV camera, and NHK an HDTV digital video tape recorder.

More information

Click here to read a more in-depth article by David Wood, Head of New Technology (EBU) on the history and evolution of HDTV through the years: 

The development of HDTV in Europe — a tale of three cities: Dublin, Dubrovnik and Geneva 

Click here for the full press release.