Sky Partners Sony To Boost HDTV Uptake

BSkyB is to launch a partnership with electronics giant Sony to cross-sell its products and services in an attempt to accelerate high definition (HD) TV adoption in the UK.

The two companies’ decision to co-operate on HDTV could kickstart the medium in Britain, helping Sky to meet its target of 60,000 HDTV customers by the end of 2006, rising to 1 million by 2010.

The satellite broadcaster will launch its first HDTV services next year, with content from a range of providers including National Geographic, and Sky’s wholly-owned operators, Sky One, Artsworld, Sky Box Office and Sky Movies (see Sky Expands Pre-Launch HDTV Line-Up).

Elsewhere, cable operator Telewest recently became the first of the country’s broadcasters to launch high definition (HD) services, rolling out several channels of vastly improved quality to an initial audience of around 400 customers within London (see Telewest First To Launch HDTV Services).

The BBC has also announced plans for a HDTV trial using the Freeview platform, with BBC One the first to make the switch, broadcasting in improved quality alongside its standard definition broadcasts (see BBC To Launch HDTV Trial On All Platforms Next Year).

BskyB: 0207 705 3000 www.sky.com