Singapore – MediaCorp’s general entertainment Hi-Definition channel HD5, the first on terrestrial TV in Southeast Asia, will launch on Nov. 11 2007, following a trial initiated in June 2006. HD5 is a simulcast of Channel 5, MediaCorp TV’s English channel. The HD5 free-to-air channel is already available on SingTel’s mioTV service. About 30% of HD5’s content during primetime will be in native HD format. Acquired shows include Heroes, CSI Miami, Supernatural and Smallville. Local English-language productions include Lifestory 2, Makansutra and Lifeline 2. Movies include Fantastic Four, X2: X-Men United and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Chang Long Jong, MediaCorp Deputy CEO (Television), says the Studio’s inventory of HD programming is rising from 60-70 hours in the first quarter of this year, to around 350 hours, not just in English but including 100 hours of co-production with China. In terms of production, Chang says 15-20% of productions are currently in HD, and that’s set to rise to 30% next year.