I have DirecTV in America and a 73" 16:1 HDTV. I get all of the HD offered. However local stations are in SDtv, unless I use an aerial antenna for broadcast HD. So I can stretch 4:1 pulldowns, to remove block outs for aspect ratios, but, LB or letterbox from SDtv will not sync up to the wide format or fill the screen. I don't see why it can't. They can upscale everything to 1080p, why not top and bottom out LB.
I wish that I could get these channels:
ITV, Channel 4, Five and Welsh network S4C and more. All I get is BBC America, which I enjoy mostly.

There's another beef. Why can't we English speaking countries get each other's programming, at least to a better extent. Good luck to you chaps. I have to go DVR the new and last season of "Battlestar Galactica". I'm going to miss it when it's cancelled. Why can't it go on like "Dr. Who". Give my regards to auntie Beeb. I'll be watching/DVRing "Coupling" and "Mitchell and Web Look". I love the Blighty comedy (need more). It came in jolly good during US' writer's strike.

As per the previous comment. Unless they really manage to pull their fingers out with this one it just aint going to work. Freeview was meant to deliver 'better picture quality and sound' but has failed miserably. The picture quality is atrocious. I'd rather have slightly snowy analogue than blocky, squeaking Freeview.

...it'll be the same crap signal quality as well...