RTÉ will broadcast the first high-definition programmes by an Irish broadcaster this weekend as part of the official launch of the Saorview digital television service.
The Magners' League Grand Final between Munster and Leinster will be shown on HD on RTÉ 2 to those who have already bought the set top box necessary to make the switchover from analogue to digital television.
That will be followed on Sunday by the Munster Senior Hurling championship quarter-final between All-Ireland champions Tipperary and Cork.
The Saorview service is already available on a pilot basis and will be live for anybody who buys a set top box from today.
RTÉ will launch RTÉ One + 1 and the children's channel RTÉjr tomorrow.
Every household in the State that is not on satellite or cable will have to make the switch from analogue to digital television by the end of next year as part of a general switchover across the European Union.
The switch is likely to affect 250,000 households who will have to buy a set top box costing between €60 and €70.
Speaking at the launch today in RTÉ, Minister for Communications Pat Rabbitte refused to commit to financial help for those who feel they cannot afford the box.
He said he had made no decision in relation to it because of "straitened times", but he stressed that his department was talking to relevant community and charity organisations. "The intention is that nobody will be left behind," he stressed.
He said the 18 month turnaround between the launch of the service tomorrow and the switch-off is one of the shortest in the EU and the Government would be launching an awareness campaign in the autumn about the switchover.
