Sky Gears Up For High Definition Launch

Satellite giant Sky is gearing up for the launch of its long-awaited high definition (HD) service, listing the first wave of HD channels in its electronic programme guide (EPG), and enabling the first interactive systems ahead of launch later this year.

The broadcaster will begin to carry listings for its first nine HD channels over the course of this month, adding the content in stages.

The new listings will introduce Sky Movies 9 HD, Sky Movies 10 HD, Sky Sports HD, Sky Box Office HD 1, Sky Box Office HD 2, National Geographic HD, Sky One HD, Artsworld HD and Discovery HD to the broadcaster’s Sky Guide EPG.

The new listings will be available to all Sky subscribers by the end of February, although until a customer subscribes to Sky HD they will see an upgrade message when attempting to view the new channels.

Red button functionality on the main Sky Guide menu will allow HD subscribers to view 7-day listings for the HD channels only.

The move signal’s Sky’s continuing progress towards delivery of a nation-wide HD service, with the broadcaster claiming to be on track for launch “in the first half of 2006.”

In order to view HD content, Sky consumers will need to upgrade their set-top box, sign up to the relevant subscriptions and possess a compatible HD ready TV.

Last year saw Sky 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 (see Sky Partners Sony To Boost HDTV Uptake).

The growing excitement over HD content has also been evident from rival broadcasters, with the BBC planning to trial the technology on all digital platforms later this year (see BBC To Launch HDTV Trial On All Platforms Next Year), while cable operator Telewest recently announced its delivery of HD content to around 400 customers in London (see Telewest First To Launch HDTV Services).

Sky: 08702 40 40 40 www.sky.com