For SRG SSR idée suisse, HD suisse marks the start of a new chapter in the development of television in Switzerland. HDTV stands for "High-Definition Television" and provides the very best picture quality. In 16:9 widescreen format, with Dolby Digital surround sound and picture resolution almost five times that of conventional TV, HD gives viewers a cinema experience at home.

With HD suisse, SRG SSR offers the viewing public Europe's first-ever unencrypted high-definition (HD) television channel. However, for copyright reasons HD suisse programming must be encrypted where its broadcast via satellite. Run jointly by Schweizer Fernsehen (SF), Radio Télévision Suisse (RTS), Radiotelevisione svizzera di lingua italiana (TSI) and Televisiun Rumantscha (TvR), HD suisse shows high-definition in-house and co-productions in Switzerland's four national languages, rounded out by attractive HD formats from outside Switzerland. HD suisse's 24-hour schedule features live coverage of sporting and other events, feature films, all kinds of music concerts, operas, documentaries, TV series and family shows.

SRG SSR broadcasts HD suisse via the Eutelsat Hotbird 8 satellite. The channel is also distributed as part of the digital packages offered by cable networks and Bluewin TV. To receive HD suisse, viewers need a screen bearing the "HD ready" or "Full HD" quality mark, as well as an HD-enabled set-top box.